Voinjama, Liberia – A highly anticipated football match spiraled into chaos this month when C.H. Dewey High School of Tubmanburg faced Free Pentecostal Global Mission School of Foya during the Region 1 Championship. The event, held on September 3 at the Voinjama Public High School Sports Pitch, descended into violence, overshadowing the entertainment expected from youth athletics.
The match turned tumultuous when tensions flared after Free Pentecostal scored its second goal in the 56th minute. Disputes over the goal’s validity led C.H. Dewey players and their coach to physically confront referee Prince Dorbor. Attempts by the Liberia National Police to restore order were unsuccessful as C.H. Dewey refused to resume play, ultimately leading to the match’s cancellation.
Initially, Free Pentecostal took the lead with a penalty kick in the 27th minute. Their striker Emmanuel Abednego later extended their advantage, but C.H. Dewey disputed the legitimacy of this second goal, arguing it was awarded unfairly. Investigations confirmed that a defensive miscommunication between a Dewey defender and the goalkeeper had allowed Abednego to score.
The fallout from the incident revealed that the violence was fueled by the local National High School Sports coordinator from Bomi County, who had previously alleged referee bias favoring Free Pentecostal. Eyewitnesses, including representatives from National High School Sports, the Match Commissioner, and local journalists, supported the referee’s decision, deeming it correct.
In light of the violence and the refusal to complete the match, the Organizing Committee applied strict penalties as outlined in their tournament regulations. C.H. Dewey High School is now banned from competing in the National High School Football and Kickball Championship for one year. The school is required to forfeit the match to Free Pentecostal and pay a fine of LD$10,000.
Additionally, C.H. Dewey must submit a formal apology, signed by its principal, committing to preventive measures against future misconduct. This ruling not only serves as a consequence for the school but also sends a stern message across Liberia regarding the zero-tolerance approach to violence in sports.
As Free Pentecostal Global Mission School advances to the next round of the championship, this troubling incident underscores the pressing need for greater emphasis on sportsmanship and respect within youth competitions. Officials express concern that failing to address such behavior could compromise the integrity and safety of high school sports in the country.
The incident highlights ongoing efforts in Liberia to strengthen youth athletics and instill principles of discipline and respect among players. By enforcing strict regulations, organizers hope to promote a healthier sporting culture that emphasizes fair play and respect for referees in the fast-evolving realm of youth sports.