Accra Hearts of Oak has refuted allegations made by former head coach Martin Koopman that he was forced to use players selected by board members while he was employed by the team.

After just three months on the team, Koopman was shown the door due to the Rainbow Club’s’ dismal start to the 2023–24 Ghana Premier League season.

The Dutch coach, who was fired suddenly, said in an interview that he was affected by some club leaders having influence over the team’s management.

Salifu Ibrahim, Eric Esso, Richard Attah, Dennis Korsah, and other players were among the seven players Koopman claimed were going to be blacklisted from his team for the season.

“They told me not to use them because they don’t believe them and they cannot help me in the competition,” he stated to the Ghana Sports Page.

Nonetheless, board members Alhaji Akambi, Vincent Odotei Sowah, and Dr. Nyaho Nyaho Tamkloe addressed what they called a “distasteful” remark to make during a press conference on Monday, December 4.

“We believe that cooperation is what can give you good results,” Nyaho-Tamakloe said. “The board finds Koopman’s statement very distasteful. The board has never said to any coach or Koopman that he shouldn’t use the players he mentioned.”

“Martin Koopman was solely in charge of player selection in the team. He was given full responsibility.”

Under Abdul Bashiru’s leadership, the team has won one, drawn two, and lost one since the Dutchman was fired.