Posted by 2011 Ghana Premier League winner, Emmanuel Clottey has opened up on how he ended up at Kotoko.
The center forward in 2015 joined Asante Kotoko on a free transfer. The player at then was under contract with Tunisian side Esperance.
Esperance reported the issue to FIFA, Asante Kotoko were found guilty for not doing due diligence prior to signing Clottey. They were slapped with a hefty fine of $180,000.
Since then, questions have been asked on why a player under contract with a club will sign for another club? Others have also asked why Kotoko didn’t do due diligence before signing the player.
Clottey in an interview with Fox FM shed light on how the move happened.
“I had come to watch a game at Kumasi Baba Yara Sports Stadium when I was contacted by officials of Kotoko. I was asked by Kotoko if I was a free agent, but I told them I wasn’t. I told Mr Opoku Nti and Alhaji Lamin,” he revealed on Fox FM.
“I had an injury during my loan season in Dubai. I wasn’t even part of the Esperance squad for the start of the season, so I reported to my agent to ask for a return ticket.”
“It was during that time Kotoko requested for my signature to help them in the CAF Champions League. I gave them the contact of my agent to deal with.”
‘I never heard from Kotoko again, till I was told by my agent to go and sign for Kotoko which I did.
”I asked my agent about Esperance and he told me it will be settled later.
”When my agent asked me to sign I did, but I was surprised how Kotoko got my ITC”, he added.
Emmanuel Clottey had filed a lawsuit against the Porcupine warriors years ago. The case was yesterday 20 May, 2020 dismissed by an Accra High Court. The striker was ordered to pay the Porcupine Warriors GH¢5,000.
Clottey explained why he took Kotoko to court.
“I didn’t send Kotoko to court to take money from the club, but rather wanted the case to be settled at FIFA. I wanted to be free and continue with my football career.”
“I didn’t know how they worked on my ITC. I had never quoted any amount to be given to me.”
The 2007 Ghana Premier league golden boot winner revealed Kotoko wanted to compensate him with ¢30,000 to redraw the case from court.
“They brought me ¢30,000 so that we could settle the case amicably but I rejected it. Kotoko gave me a release letter before I signed for Olympics.”
“The ¢30,000 offer was brought to me during the time they were playing the NC Special Tournament. The released letter from Kotoko was brought to me by Mr. Richard and Lawyer Sarfo Duku. It was given to me at the Accra High Court.”
According to unconfirmed reports, Clottey has settled the GH¢5,000 fine.