Aiteo Cup: "We Don't Need NFF Corrupt-infested Money" - Heartland Kick Against Quarterfinal Replay

Relegated Heartland FC of Owerri have kicked against NFF's decision to have their quarterfinal game replayed, Nigeriasoccernet.com gathered.

In a recent resolution meeting held between the NFF, LMC and the eight quarter-finalists, one of the decisions was to compensate Heartland FC and Kastina United #5m each should they decides to replay their quarter-final game which was won 4-1 by Heartland.

However, the Owerri based club have decided to go the other way, saying they will rather maintain their semifinal position than receive NFF's corrupt-infested Money.

Reacting to the resolution, a top Heartland official, Tonnex Chukwu, has taken exception to the decision for his team to replay their own match against Katsina.

He said there was a plot to ensure Katsina United progressed to the semifinals at the expense of his team after winning the quarterfinal on penalties.

“Imagine an NFF that forced us to play even in the same night of the day our quarterfinal match was botched,” fumed Tonnex Chukwu.

“Can someone tell me what has happened to the match played between Heartland vs Katsina and the result there from?

“Could it be that forces in Abuja were not happy we won? May we not be tempted to believe the rumours of discontent about a possible Heartland victory was true.

“What does NFF want?

“Heartland FC respected NFF’s instruction to play according to fixtures against Katsina United in Ilorin on the 10th of August even when the match could not hold, it was rescheduled for the morning of 11th at same venue, which saw Heartland emerging victorious after a barren regulation time (4-1 on penalties).

“I hate to give credence to the insinuation that plans have been hatched to ensure a Katsina victory which could not materialise in the field of play hence this brazen somersault.

“Heartland FC wish to state for the records that we do not intend to eat our vomits, neither do we need a corruption-infested money for the replay from anybody.”

Only Kogi United were not part of the Friday's parley presided by LMC Chairman Shehu Dikko accompanied by NFF Excos Ahmed Yusuf ‘Fresh’ and Ibrahim Alkali.

The meeting resolved various monetary compensations to the teams from the quarterfinals right up to the final with a promise that the eventual winners of the cup competition will automatically feature in next year’s tournament from the Round of 16.

The new date for the quarterfinals is August 20.