Monrovia – The Ministry of Youth and Sports has dismissed Maryland County’s complaint against host Montserrado fielded three 1st division players, one of which Grebo boys alleged was a foreign player.
Maryland County claimed that Montserrado County fielded Nimba Kwado’s Alloy Brown who they alleged is a Nigerian national. Their complaint also singled out players Mark Arthur of being a 1st division player and Jimmy Charlton who plays Nimba Kwado.
Brown who carries a Liberian and Nigerian passport scored a brace for Montserrado County as they beat Maryland County 3-1 on the opening day of the National County Sports Meet.
Arthur who transferred from 3rd division side, Congress FC to Nimba Kwado is at the center of controversy after it was understood that he previously signed for second division side Junior Professional.
According to the Youth and Sports Minister D. Zeogar Wilson, the Ministry of Youth and Sports Internal Affairs are responsible to ensure fair play and implement the rules governing the tournament.
Minister Wilson admitted that though that FIFA-TMS (Transfer Management System) indicated that Brown initially played in both the Nigerian and Côte d’Ivoire local leagues as Nigerian but the protest committee has established he played in the National County Meet in 2008 for Margibi County where he was born and schooled.
Minister Wilson further explained that Brown played for LISCR as Liberian and currently plays as a Liberian for Nimba-based club Nimba Kwado.
Minister Wilson, however, stated that the claim that Montserrado County featured three 1st division players in the match is contrary to the rules of the tournament.
Minister Wilson admitted that Arthur who was one of the players named that surfaced on the protest saga is not 1st division player as claimed by Maryland County.
According to Minister Wilson, the player still remains with his parent club, Congress FC as a transfer to Nimba Kwado has not being materialized.
According to the Protest Committee, the ruling is in line with section 11 and 4.58, respectively which outlines the featuring of ineligible players and non-Liberian including three players for first division side.
“We don’t take side, we don’t favor any particular person, we crafted the rules and we have the responsible to ahold the rules governing the national county sports meet,” Minister Wilson said.
“The committee has reason to believe that it could not fully rely on the information in the FIFA System based on all these facts that have been established, Minister Wilson added.
Minister Wilson cautioned Montserrado County Superintendent Florence Brandy who alleged foul played in the outcome of the ruling without knowing the outcome.
But speaking to journalists after the press conference, Supt Brandy apologized for outburst remarks against Minister Wilson and Liberia Football Association president, Mustapha Raji.