By Nadia Ntiamoah
Ghana Premier League side Hearts of Oak have strongly rejected allegations linking their goalkeeper Benjamin Asare to an alleged theft incident at the Black Stars camp, describing the claims as false, malicious and damaging to the player’s reputation.
The controversy emerged on Friday following online reports alleging that two Rolex watches and an amount of $2,250 belonging to a team official had gone missing from the Black Stars’ camp in Vienna, ahead of the international friendly against Austria.
The reports further attempted to associate Asare with the alleged incident — a claim Hearts of Oak say is completely unfounded.
In an official statement issued on Saturday, March 28, the Accra-based club dismissed the allegations as “entirely false, misleading, and defamatory,” pointing out that the claims originated from an unnamed online platform without credible evidence or verification.
Hearts of Oak revealed that they had engaged the Ghana Football Association on the matter, with both the club and the FA aligned in rejecting the reports.
According to the statement, there is “absolutely no truth” to the allegations circulating in the media.
The club further disclosed that it has reported the individuals behind the publication to law enforcement agencies and relevant regulatory authorities, signalling its intention to pursue legal action against those responsible.
Hearts stressed that it expects investigations to lead to appropriate sanctions, as part of efforts to protect the integrity of the club and its players.
Amid the controversy, Hearts of Oak moved to reassure supporters about the mental and professional state of the player, insisting that Benjamin Asare remains focused and unaffected.
The club emphasised that the goalkeeper is in excellent condition and fully committed to his duties despite the distractions caused by the allegations.
The statement concluded with a call for the public to disregard the reports and remain calm, while reaffirming the club’s commitment to defending the reputation and dignity of its players against what it described as baseless accusations.
