Barrolle-IE Clash Ends In Chaos


Tony Bracewell of IE at half Time

 

By Julu M. Johnson, Jr.

      June 1,2004-The league encounter involving bitter archrivals Mighty Barrolle and Invincible Eleven (IE) experienced a chaotic end at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium (ATS) on Sunday.

     As the match stood goalless in the second half, Mighty Barrolle defender Solomon Grimes was expelled by referee Benedict Yarsiah for hitting striker Khalifa Kromah of IE.

   The referee's decision was, however, greeted negatively by angry fans as they threw empty cans on the pitch.

    With no presence of riot police at the stadium, stones succeeded the cans such that the referee and his assistants had to escape the pitch.
Spectators later joined the match officials in escaping the scene as the violence escalated.

    In an apparent mood to help restore calm, veteran player James Debbah went on the pitch and even chatted with players of Mighty Barrolle, the club that brought him into prominence, but in a short while, he was forced out of the stadium by more missiles.

     With more fans already out of the stadium, angry spectators also attacked the dressing room of the referees with blocks, planks and sticks although it was not gathered whether the match officials were hiding there.


     The Liberia Football Association (LFA) was, up to press time, yet to come out with a decision on the incidence.

    Meanwhile, Solomon Grimes, whose expulsion brought about the incidence, arguably stood as the man of the match before he met misfortune. The young defender thwarted majority of IE's efforts to the extent that coach Raymond Moulton was constrained to eject Tony Bracewell whom Grimes was marking.

     With such a performance from Grimes, it was highly believed that Barrolle fans were not willing to see their key leave the pitch, something that must have caused the violence.

     In fact, before the match with IE, another defender of Mighty Barrolle, Patrick Nuku Grannue, was red-carded against Monrovia Breweries and the Rollers went on to lose 2-1.

     In a related development, LISCR FC defeated Shoes FC 3-1 on Friday to lead the Premier League with eight points from four matches.