Hearts withdraw from 2010 Champions League

01.11.2009

Hearts of Oak have pulled out of the African Champions League for next season citing funding issues for their decision. The Ghanaian champions are worried that they do not have a team who can successfully compete in the competition, and would need to make the lucrative group stages to have any chance of turning their campaign into a financial success.

Earlier this year CAF announced a significant increase in the prize-money for the winners of the African Champions League.

The victors now get US$1.5-million, up 50 percent from the US$1-million they had received in the past. The losing finalists will take home US$1-million, while the semifinalists each receive US$700 000, the third side in each group US$500 000 and the fourth-placed teams US$400 000.

However, for sides who do not make it to the last eight, the competition remains an expensive exercise.