By Ameenu Shardow
Hearts of Oak have confirmed payment a combined fine of 2,700 Ghana cedis to the Ghana FA but has described the verdict of the Disciplinary Committee as strange and contentious.
The Accra-based club and two of its players were slapped with the fine after starting the week six Premier League fixture away to Ebusua Dwarfs with nine players and for also deceiving the officiating referees.
However a statement signed by Hearts' Chief Executive Fred Crentsil after a management meeting provides stiff opposition to the DC's verdict saying the ground upon which the punishment was meted contravenes Article 23 (b), (c), as stated by the local football controlling body.
"The club is saddened by the action of the supporters of Dwarfs who arrogated to themselves the power to trample on the fundamental human rights of supporters and other people at their home grounds," sections of the statement read.
The statement also added that a letter sent to the club by the GFA on the ruling again contravenes the decision, since recognized that “the two players were prevented from entering the stadium.
"The rights of the two players were trampled upon as they were forced out of the stadium and had to buy match tickets later to enter the stadium."
The Club has also asked the Ghana FA to administratively rescind their decision since Mr Kweku Ampem Darko, Deputy General Secretary of the GFA, was the one who secured the entry of the two players into the stadium.
The statement also asked the FA to examine the reports of the referee, Match Commissioner and the General Coordinator to establish the circumstances under which five balls for the match got missing and the attitude of the ball boys on the day of the match.
“We find the behavior of the ball boys unacceptable and would request that, it should be taken against the home team to ensure that such unsporting characters are eliminated from the game." the statement added.