Hearts respond to bribery allegations; dare Chibsah to name persons involved
Ghana Premier League giants Accra Hearts of Oak SC has issued a response to recent allegations of bribery made by former professional footballer Yusif Chibsah.
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The club's attention was drawn to a media post on May 24, 2023, in which Chibsah claimed that Alhaji Grunsah, the owner of King Faisal Football Club, had discovered Hearts of Oak's attempt to bribe King Faisal players.
In a news story, Chibsah alleged that Alhaji Grunsah had accompanied one of his players to a phone booth to confront an official from Hearts of Oak about the non-payment of a player's share of the bribe money.
According to Chibsah, the official on the other end of the line instructed the player to collect his portion of the money from a particular individual.
However, Hearts of Oak's management in a statement last Saturday expressed disappointment that Chibsah did not disclose the name of the Hearts of Oak official involved in the alleged misconduct.
The club said it was committed to upholding the principles of fair play and adhering to the Ghana Football Association's regulations, strongly condemning any actions that tarnish the credibility and competitiveness of football, including bribery.
In response, Hearts of Oak's management is requesting Chibsah to immediately disclose the name(s) of the person(s) allegedly involved in the bribery incident.
They emphasized the importance of conducting investigations and imposing appropriate sanctions through the relevant authorities.
The club also asserted its right to protect and defend its integrity, expressing strong objection to the publication of unsubstantiated allegations that undermine its reputation and the credibility of Ghanaian football. They urged retired professional footballers, such as Chibsah, to act responsibly and avoid making baseless claims.
Hearts of Oak's management concluded by urging the Professional Footballers Association of Ghana to educate its members about the significance of dedicating their time and energy to activities that promote the progress of Ghanaian football.