Kotoko drags Metro TV to court, bans them from Kumasi

Published on: 17 February 2012

Kotoko have filed a suit against Accra based Metro TV for making disparaging allegations and comments that sought to soil the hard won reputation and image of the club.

Supporters and Public Relations Manager, Listowell Bukarson who made this disclosure to Kotoko Express stated that the club feels terribly maligned by the "serious and damaging allegations and remarks'' made an official of the media house.

Aside the suit, which was yet to be served as of press time, management has also banned the television station from covering its home matches with immediate effect, indicating that the safety of the television station and its crew cannot be guaranteed at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.

It may be recalled that after the week 11 fixture on Dec 15 2011, in which Kotoko beat Berekum Chelsea 1-0 at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, Metro TV's Christopher Opoku in radio interviews alleged that supporters of Kotoko assaulted his co-commentator, Nana Agyeman and additionally vandalized equipment of the television station running into thousands of dollars.

Listowell said the allegations by the television station have no basis.

He said interviews granted by Christopher Opoku only sought to needlessly destroy the image of Kumasi Asante Kotoko and its huge followers.

"We feel that our corporate image has been badly bruised unfairly and unjustifiably too because everything that was said received extensive media coverage and they were not true."

The club’s spokesman pointed out grave inconsistencies in the TV station’s claims.

"They have not backed their claims with facts. They have not substantiated those allegations. They have neither showed evidence of a police report on the so-called vandalized equipments nor have there also been independent verification of whatever they claim our supporters did."

He said Metro TV wrote to the FA, claiming that "the cost of the equipments allegedly destroyed is US$ 200, 000 but they came back to the PLB saying that it is rather US$10,000; that is inconsistent and we see it as an open attempt to milk the club."

Listowell Bukarson stressed Kotoko’s resolve to fight Metro TV in court to reasonable levels to repair the club’s damaged image and reputation.

"What they have done has the potential of destroying the fine relationship we have with our respected sponsors and well-meaning partners. We will not sit down for anybody to take the club for granted. We will get to the bottom of this matter" he stressed and advised media houses to refrain making spurious allegations against the club.

He said that Kotoko was writing to the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and its affiliate body the Premier League Board (PLB) stating its  decision to ban Metro TV from covering its home matches.

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