The Liberia Football Association (LFA) has announced a 15-month ban on Melvin George, a former Liberian midfielder and the current Technical Director of the first division team, Heaven Eleven, citing a breach of its regulations.
By: Christopher C. Walker, [email protected]
In a statement, the LFA Secretariat claimed that George violated “Chapter 4, Article 4a and b” of the 2024/25 Regulations, which mandates a 14-month suspension for any club official found guilty of assaulting a match official. This decision follows Heaven Eleven’s 1-1 draw with Shaita at Tusa Field last Friday, where George allegedly climbed over the inner fence and physically assaulted and insulted central referee Moses Forkpah.
According to a report from the Referee Committee, George also pursued the referees to their changing room, where he allegedly attacked LFA Deputy Chief of Security, Sam Boye. The LFA further noted that George’s actions incited the crowd, resulting in fans throwing objects at Assistant Referee Tracy Chayee.
While the LFA’s decision allows for an appeal, neither Heaven Eleven nor George has issued an official statement. However, when contacted, George asserted that his legal team is prepared to respond to the LFA. He firmly denied the allegations, stating he only approached the officials to discuss the match and was shocked by the accusation of assault. He added that he was not invited for an investigation before the decision was made.
This incident is not the first confrontation involving referee Moses Forkpah. In 2021, Bea Mountain striker Mark Paye received a one-year ban after allegedly pushing Forkpah, who subsequently fell to the ground. The LFA labeled that incident as an assault, leading to Paye’s suspension.