FIFA has closed its file on the issues relating to Asante Kotoko SC and Esperance de Tunis following settlement agreement has been achieved.
In a letter dated May 4, 2020 and signed Head of Players’ Status at FIFA, Erika Montemor Ferreira; FIFA said it would “proceed to the closure of the file” after the amicable agreement between the two clubs.
FIFA’s correspondence came two days after it receiving a confirmation from Closemarking Consult, the firm that aided Asante Kotoko in the matter claiming the issues have been resolved by the two clubs.
Esperance had earlier delayed in paying Kwame Bonsu’s transfer fee in view of unresolved issues around the illegal signing of Emmanuel Clottey by the Kumasi giants.
FIFA subsequently fined Asante Kotoko an amount of $240,000 for the wrongful registration of Clottey in 2015 with the breakdown as follows – transfer fee US$180,000; accrued interest, US$45,000 and legal charges – US$15,000.
However, Asante Kotoko and Esperance agreed to waive the US$45,000 accrued interest; US$150,000 being Bonsu transfer fee paid as part payment to offset the US$180,000 debt with the remaining US$30,000 rather paid by Asante Kotoko.
Asante Kotoko now have a clean bill of health and would suffer no transfer ban in consequence as they settled all payments due them in the matter.