Asante Kotoko have been asked to pay sacked coach Maxwell Konadu a full year’s salary plus other outstandings totalling approximately $41,100.
Konadu was entering the final of his two-year contract when the Nana Yaw Amponsah-led management relieved him of his duties.
The Porcupines, in their slow start to the 2020/21 season, were beaten 1-0 in their fourth match in the Ghana Premier League at home by Great Olympics, results which cost the trainer his job on Thursday, December 17, 2020.
On March 4, 2021, Konadu petitioned the Ghana Football Association Player Status Committee claiming that Kotoko unilaterally breached his contract which was expected to end on December 8 this year without just cause.
Kotoko, in their termination letter to the coach, cited his “inability to exhibit a high level of performance which will prepare the team to the height it deserves to be” as grounds – something the coach considered illegality.
Konadu went on to notify the club of demand for lawful entitlement and compensation on February 9 and received a response 15 days later in which Kotoko justified their sack action and offered the coach three months’ salary ($3,000) in lieu of notice. Included in the response was an admission to pay the balance of his signing-on fee (GHS30,000) as well as two match-winning bonuses. The offered amounts came up to GHS80,500 which Konadu rejected.
The coach went on to petition the GFA seeking to be paid $36,000 being salaries due from January to December 2021; a declaration of entitlement to a qualification bonus for eliminating FC Nouadhibou in the Caf Champions League; his outstanding GHS30,000 signing on fees; GHS2,000 two-match winning bonuses; $60,000 in general damages or compensation for unilateral breach of contract and other costs which were not indicated.
In its decision, the GFA PSC stated:
“… the Committee finds the coach’s termination hasty, premature and without just cause. Therefore it does not fall within the employment contract clause 11.4 which indicates termination of the coach’s contract without any compensation and without prior notice…”,
The PSC, however, granted coach Maxwell Konadu partial reliefs. The ruling stated:
1. The head coach is entitled to the payment of $36,000 or its equivalent in Ghana cedis, this being salaries due him from January to December 2021. This represents the residual part of his salaries due to the unjust termination.
2. Payment of GHS30,000 being the balance of the signing on fee
3. Payment of GHS2,000 being winning bonuses for two matches
4. General damages/ compensation of $60,000 is declined
5. Costs not indicated, but declined notwithstanding
Also, Asante Kotoko’s counter demand for Maxwell Konadu to pay the club GHS55,300 for keeping his official car declined by the PSC.
The club has been tasked to pay the amounts ($36,000 + GHS32,000) to Maxwell Konadu “within 30 days from the date that he furnishes the club with his bank details.”
“In the event that the aforementioned sums are not paid by the Respondent (Asante Kotoko) within the stated time limit, the present matter shall be referred to the GFA Disciplinary Committee for consideration and a formal decision,” the ruling signed by PSC Chairman Is-Hak Al-Hassan read.
