Africa-Press – Liberia. Controversy is brewing at the ongoing National County Sports Meet following a formal protest filed by Grand Cape Mount County against Lofa County football team.
The complaint alleges the fielding of ineligible players during their December 21, 2025, clash at the Samuel Kanyon Doe (SKD) Sports Complex.
In a strongly worded petition addressed to the Grievance & Ethics Committee of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Grand Cape Mount Sports Steering Committee accused Lofa County of breaching both the National County Sports Meet Rules and Liberia Football Association (LFA) regulations.
The protest centers on allegations that Lofa registered and fielded more than the allowable number of First Division players.
Alleged Quota Violations
The protest, dated December 21 and signed by Steering Committee Chairman Emmanuel Tamba, cites Article XI, Section 13.13 of the County Meet Rules.
The provision restricts each county to a maximum of three First Division players on their roster. However, Grand Cape Mount alleges that a technical investigation and cross-check of official LFA club records revealed Lofa County fielded five First Division players.
The players named in the complaint include:
Darius Garmondeh (Watanga FC),Alexander Curtis (Watanga FC),Jeremiah Johnson (Wologizi FC),Francis Doe (Wologizi FC) and Maxweir Keller (Wologizi FC)
“The registration and fielding of the above-named players constitute a direct and substantive violation of Section 13.13, thereby rendering said players ineligible for participation in the match,” the Steering Committee asserted in its filing.
Transfer and Registration Irregularities
Beyond the quota breach, Grand Cape Mount further accused Lofa County of violating transfer protocols under Article XIII of the County Meet Regulations.
The complaint claims that Jeremiah Johnson and Francis Doe were illegally transferred outside the officially sanctioned window.
According to the records cited, both players began the 2024–2025 LFA First Division season with Wologizi FC and played their final league match on November 16, 2024 after the transfer window had closed.
Despite this, they were allegedly transferred to Howard FC and subsequently presented as Third Division players for the County Meet.
Grand Cape Mount argues this maneuver contradicts LFA rules governing player status and eligibility.
The petition further argues that both players appeared for more than one club within the same competitive phase, an action expressly prohibited under LFA regulations.
Demands for Forfeiture
Invoking Article XVIII, Section 21.1, Grand Cape Mount is requesting that Lofa County forfeit the match. The rule dictates that any county found guilty of registering or fielding an illegal player shall lose the points from the match and be fined US$500, with additional sanctions for non-compliance.
The Steering Committee is seeking several remedies:An immediate audit of the registration and eligibility status of the named players.
Forfeiture of the match by Lofa County, with three points and two goals awarded to Grand Cape Mount.Imposition of the statutory US$500 fine.
Additional disciplinary measures to protect the integrity of the tournament.
The committee maintained that its on-field observations and subsequent verification with official records confirmed the breaches, describing them as “material, substantive, and outcome-affecting.”
Represented by legal counsel Atty. Al-Varney Rogers, Grand Cape Mount has called on the Grievance & Ethics Committee to address the matter with urgency and impartiality to ensure fair play.
Meanwhile: Ministry Reconstitutes Grievance Committee
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Youth and Sports has formally acknowledged receipt of the protest, along with a separate complaint filed by Grand Gedeh County against Grand Bassa County.
In a statement released Monday, December 22, 2025, the Ministry announced the swift reconstitution of the Protest and Grievances Committee to “thoroughly and expeditiously probe” the matters raised.
The new committee is chaired by Cllr. Kula Jackson, with members including Abraham Sarnor, Emmett Crayton, Jenkins Pelenah, and Stephen Kafi.
“The Committee has been mandated to carefully review all relevant documents, hear from the concerned parties, and make impartial determinations in line with the rules and regulations governing the competition,” stated Oxford Brown, Director of Public Affairs.
The Ministry assured the public that the integrity of the tournament remains paramount and that every protest will be handled with professionalism and urgency.
As of press time, Lofa County officials nor representatives from the Ministry of Youth and Sports have issued a formal response to the allegations.
For More News And Analysis About Liberia Follow Africa-Press
