March 28, 2024

Match-fixing; a major challenge for LFA

Gardnerville’s third division league ended up with what appears to be a serious match-fixing that will damage the image of the league.

It can be recalled on Saturday, May 14, at the open-air Tusa Field on the final day of league matches in the Gardnerville Sub-Committee League, a player scored nine (9) goals to finish as the league top scorer, something that got the attention of football shareholders and other sports lovers in and across Liberia.

Player James Jarbo of Junior United Football Club scored nine(9) goals in his side’s 11-2 win over Makarios FC at the famous open-air Tusa field over the weekend taking, his goal tally to eighteen (18) league goals in eleven (11) league games.

Player James Jarbo needed six goals to defeat Patrick Laryee of Baako Football Club who was on fourteen (14) league goals in the golden shoe race before the final league matches. The Gardnerville third division league is under the Liberia Football Association and is headed by Bishop William Harris.

The spectators of Junior United told a team of sports journalists that they were not happy about the situation and want the LFA to investigate their team’s last game. Some soccer lovers reacted to the goals scored by Jarbo and term them as fixed goals. According to Lawrence David, this is sad for grassroots football, I saw how the goals were given cheaply, and the referee’s involvement as well. Another spectator on the field Oliver Samuel said, I usually watch soccer games here, but today the game filled my mouth. Mr. Charles Karn who was also at the stadium added, that if you start to buy games at this level and cheat, it is a sad time for our football society. These guys are young and must not be introduced to this, these are the future leaders of Liberia football and the national team. If we start to teach them these attitudes and tricks, they will become lazy and not pay attention to training. We are calling on our elected officials at the LFA to act immediately.   

The league ended with Diadora winning the league and Baako Football Club finishing as runners-up.

Reported by Sports Director: Sylvester Tamba

Email:                           stamba498@gmail.com

Phone number:                          +231776687195

Whatsapp number:                    +231776687195

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