Rogers claimed Referees followed his Instructions.
Monrovia, Liberia – Class-A referee Josephus Torjilar was banned by the Liberia Football Association on April 30, 2024, from all LFA-sponsored events. According to the LFA release, Torjilar’s dismissal is in line with the findings of the Referee Committee’s report from the 2023–2024 National County Sports Meet match between Nimba and Grand Gedeh.
The expulsion of Josephus Torjilar, according to retired FIFA Badge referee and vice president of the Liberia Football Referees Association George S. Rogers, Jr., is unjust, adding that there was no enough proof presented.
Mr. Rogers stated that Ebenezer Stanley Konah, the Director of Football Referees, must resign from his position following Josephus’ expulsion. He admitted that referee Ebenezer Stanley Konah had dispatched match officials to games over the years with specific instructions to be followed in the LFA National League and County Meet.
George S. Rogers Jr., Retire Referee and VP, LIFRA
The retired referee made the disclosure when he appeared as guest on the OK Sports Desk on May 4, 2024 edition, a local radio program in Monrovia.
According to Mr. Rogers, the ongoing dispute around officiating at county meets and LFA league games arises from the referees’ need to follow the manager’s orders.
” It is time for us to come up openly and tell the people what has been going wrong. Stanley Konah blinds the eyes of football stakeholders and made the referees ugly in their eyes.”
“If Josephus is expelled, the Referees Manager should also go because, the referees have been acting under the direct instructions of Mr. Konah. He gave Josephus direct instructions to implement during the match and things went bad against him and he wants to see his down fall; he must go, he said.”
The Vice President of the Liberia Football Referees Association and Retired FIFA Badge referee also said Ebenezer Stanley Konah has lived his usefulness on grounds that he is unable to conduct full training for regional, beginner and intermediary course.
According to Mr. Rogers, in order to organize a basic training in accordance with CAF and FIFA best practices, technical and physical teachers are required. However, he has been claiming that the LFA President has stated he does not have money.
“Trust me, the referees Manager is unable to conduct full assignment for the referees which has been creating lot of problems at the LFA Competitions Committee.”
When contacted, the Director of Football Referees Ebernezer Stanley Konah promised to respond in appropriate time.
Reported by: Sylvester Tamba
Contact: +231776687195
