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Kotoko petition Ghana FA Normalisation Committee over Caf inter-club competitions withdrawal

Ghanaian club Asante Kotoko have petitioned the nation's football association Normalisation Committee to reconsider its decision to pull out of Caf's 2018-19 inter-club competitions.

With this season's Premier League and FA Cup truncated after a June corruption scandal led to suspension of all competitive local football matches and competitions, it was 'agreed' at a meeting on Friday that the west Africans would be submitting no representatives for next year's Caf Championship League and Caf Confederation Cup.

FA Cup holders Kotoko and reigning league champions Aduana Stars are, however, vehemently against the resolution, and the former have announced submitting a formal petition over the decision. 

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"Management has revealed to asantekotokosc.com details of the petition it sent to the Fifa/Caf Normalization Committee for approval to participate in the 2018/19 Caf Confederation Cup," a Wednesday publication on the Porcupine Warriors' official website reads. 

"Kotoko are basing on Caf statutes to gain qualification for the continent’s second-tier inter-club competition as winners of last season’s FA Cup, following the inability of the country to organize the cup competition this year.

“We are statutorily empowered by the combined effects of section 1 (under General Provisions) and section IV(6) (under Engagements) in the new CAF Confederation Cup Regulations, approved on 10th January 2018, came into force immediately and signed by Caf president Ahmad Amad and Secretary General Amr Fahmy."

Kotoko beat rivals Hearts of Oak 3-1 to win the 2016-17 FA Cup in October last year. 

“Section IV(6) is to the effect that in the event a federation does not organize a cup competition for whatever reason, that federation has the right to present the participation request of the same club(s) that had previously won the federation's cup. Asante Kotoko is the beneficiary as being the current holders of the FA Cup," the publication also stated.

“Not oblivious of the possibility of getting the nod to participate in the competition, due to the above-cited provisions in the Caf Confederation Cup Regulations, we have had to invest so much in our team by way of technical and player recruitment as well as the acquisition of several facilities.

“We have the needed resources to go through the competition with or without external assistance.

“Any attempt to prevent Asante Kotoko SC from participating in the 2018/19 Caf Confederation Cup competition would be a serious breach of the CAF Confederation Cup Regulations and an infringement on the rights of the club."

Aduana Stars, by the same statutes, are also hoping to force the hands of the Normalisation Committee.

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