The National Circles Council (NCC), the supporters’ wing of Kumasi Asante Kotoko has assured management of its preparedness to mobilize funds from the supporters of the club to pay the $240,000 debt owed to Tunisian giants, Esperance.
The Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) imposed a fine of $240,000 on Kotoko following the illegal transfer and registration of Emmanuel Clottey by Kotoko, whilst he was still a player of Esperance.
After a meeting held on Wednesday at the club’s secretariat, both NCC and management deliberated on issues including augmentation of the squad, payment of debts, and other pertinent issues affecting the club.
A joint press statement released by both sides said despite the steps taken by Chairman of the club, Dr. Kwame Kyei to pay the debt, the NCC would put in steps to raise funds to repay the chairman.
“The NCC would embark on a massive supporters’ mobilization, which would include scientific collection of data to determine the membership of the club.
“This would serve as the basis to mobilize funds from the support base to support the NCC’s financial obligation to the club,” the statement said.
Both sides agreed to prioritize the development of the club having recognized that a divided front won’t aid its progress.
Management also agreed to NCC’s proposal to foot the recruitment charges of one player so desired by Head Coach Maxwell Konadu.
Meanwhile, the management of Asante Kotoko has stated its pleasure with the decision of the Manhyia Palace to help resolve the current tussle with Esperance of Tunisia.
Kotoko’s current engagement with Esperance is over an outstanding fine of USD 180, 000 that the club needs to pay to the Tunisians after they signed Ghanaian forward Emmanuel Clottey in 2015 while he had a valid contract with Esperance.
Speaking to Citi Sports in an interview on Thursday, Kotoko’s Public Relations Officer, Kennedy Boakye Ansah, said that the team’s management had no issues with the decision taken by the Palace since it had the ultimate responsibility of making sure that the club functioned very well.
He also gave some clarity to a directive from the Palace in relation to the submission of a report of the 3-year tenure of the team’s Executive Chairman, Dr. Kwame Kyei. –GNA
