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Ghana Football Association (GFA) president, Kwesi Nyantakyi, has denied making any categotrical statement that suggests Kumasi Asante Kotoko were likely to win their appeal against a Disciplinary Committee ruling that declared them losers of their clash with Accra Hearts of Oak for using an unqualified player. Instead, he has advised all interested parties to allow the Appeals Committee to determine and give its ruling in the case without any duress. According to Nyantakyi, it is the Appeals Committee that has the mandate to determine the case by interpreting the rules and regulations and urged interested parties to stay away from trying to pre-empt judgement. In an interview with the Graphic Sports, the FA president confirmed that the Elite Cup, whose legality or otherwise, has been the centre of discussion and controversy in the Kotoko-Hearts impasse at the Disciplinary Committee, was indeed a sanctioned competition by the Executive Committee (ExCo) of the GFA. "Of course, the Elite Cup competition is sanctioned by the ExCo and it is comparable to say, the Carling Cup in the English Premier League, but it is also governed by rules and regulations and that is what will be determined by the Appeals Committee.� Just like what happens in the law courts, the technicalities will have to be determined by the committee. "I have been misquoted as saying that since the Elite Cup is sanctioned by the FA, Kotoko stand the strong chance of winning their appeal. I've not said that. "If I did, then there will be no point for the Appeals Committee to sit. It alone has the mandate to determine the case and give its ruling," Nyantakyi explained.