The General Manager of Aduana Stars, Takyi Arhin, has slammed Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak for demanding automatic slots on the Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), insisting the two clubs do not deserve special treatment.
Kotoko and Hearts, the two most successful clubs in Ghanaian football, recently issued a joint statement calling for structural reforms within the GFA, including guaranteed representation on the Executive Council. Their demands follow the tragic death of Francis Frimpong (Pooley), a Kotoko fan who was fatally stabbed in Nsoatre.
However, speaking in an interview on Pure FM, Arhin dismissed their calls, arguing that Kotoko and Hearts are no different from other Ghana Premier League (GPL) clubs and should not receive preferential treatment.
“We are not justifying what happened in Nsoatre; we condemn it, and we mourn with the family. But don’t use this tragedy to demand an Exco slot just because you are the most glamorous club. That argument is neither here nor there. They are like any other club in the country," Arhin stated.
He also took a swipe at the two clubs, claiming they have lost their dominance and are no longer the driving forces of Ghanaian football.
"Today, if Kotoko is playing, you can count the fans in the stadium within three minutes. The same applies to Hearts of Oak. We used to use Kotoko and Hearts for budgeting, but that’s no longer the case."
Arhin further questioned their recent achievements, challenging their claim to special status based on past glories.
“How many times have Kotoko and Hearts won the league in the last 10 years?" he quizzed.
In response to Pooley’s tragic death, the Ghana Football Association has announced new safety measures aimed at preventing violence at league venues.
