Grand Bassa Appeals Protest Ruling by Grievances and Complaints Committee

Paynesville, Liberia: Barely 24 hours after Grand Bassa County protest against Bomi was ruled out, the county has filed in an official communication seeking for an appeal against the ruling by the Grievances and Complaints Committee of the tournament.

The county through its Sports Steering Committee in a communication filed to the Appeal Board of the tournament at the Ministry of Youth and Sports on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, said it believes the ruling by the Grievances and Complaints Committee was marred by misinterpretations of the facts in its protest.

The Grievances and Complaints Committee on Tuesday, January 21, 2025 in its ruling said the protest filed by Grand Bassa against Bomi for allegedly fielding two ineligible players (Sekou Kamara wearing jersey #22 and Edwin Wainpa-#23) was not submitted in time which contravenes Article 17 sub-section 17. 1 of the tournament standing rules.

Article 17 sub-section 7.1 states that: “Protest grievances and complaints from a match must be registered on the match report sheet before during and immediately after the match and countersign by the opposing team’s captain to be followed by a formal letter within six hours during the preliminary rounds and 24 hours from quarter, semis and grand finals with a fee of twenty  (20,000) thousand Liberian dollars.”

The committee chaired by Atty. Kollie Dorko in its unanimous ruling dismissing Grand Bassa County complaint noted that the was filed in protest on January 20, 2025 more than six hours after the match even though the game was played on Saturday January 18, 2025. The committee furthered as such even if the matter was to be heard on the merit, Grand Bassa will still not prevail.

But the county in its communication for redress to the Appeal Board of the tournament, strongly refuted the ruling stating that its complaint was filed in time in accordance with rules and regulations governing the tournament. The county highlighted that it towards an official complaint with Ministry immediately after the match with Bomi County within the required time frame.

The County Sports Steering Committee maintained that the two players complained are identified on the player roaster, arguing that the ruling was basis against the Grand Bassa. The County has submitted a fee of 60,000 Liberian dollars calling for a total review of the ruling at the level of the Appeal Board.

"We are writing to officially appeal the Protest and Complaint Committee communicated to Grand Bassa County on January 21, 2025. We believe the decision contains significant flaws and misinterpretation of the facts. We respectfully request that you review following points and consider our appeal accordingly", the communication signed by Grand Bassa Sports Steering chairman Gabriel Montgomery, stated.

If the initial ruling is overturned through the appeal filed by Grand Bassa, the county will surface in the quarter-finals with six points leaving Bong County out of the tournament. But if the ruling stands, Grand Bassa will be remained out of the 2024-2024 National County Sports Meet. Bong County qualified with goal difference on points tied with Grand Bassa in Group A.

The quarter-final matches of the tournament are set to kickoff on Saturday, January 25th, at the Samuel Karyon Doe Sports Complex with Maryland VS Gbarpolu and Bong VS Lofa. Grand Cape Mount VS Grand Gedeh and Nimba VS River Gee on Sunday, January 26th.

As it stands, sports lovers are eager to hear the ruling from the Apeal Board of the National County Sports Meet which is scheduled for Thursday, January 23, at the Ministry of Youth and Sports Steering at SKD in Paynesville.