FC FASSELL Restored to Status Quo


Liberia “Team of the Moment”, FC Fassell has been restored to status quo. The Club, who in March 2012 was slapped with a one/1 year suspension by the Executive Committee - automatically demoting her to the 3rd Division - has been reinstated into the Cellcom National League with immediate effect. Early this week, a sounding victory in Liberian football was recorded to the amaze of many football lovers around the Country. After weeks of ups and downs, the voices of the true lovers of football were finally heard with the redemption of the Soccer Missionaries to status quo.

As you can recall, the Executive Committee of the Blue House after a meeting on March 31, 2012 suspended FC Fassell for allegations of debt relating to a fine levied against her for the brutalizing of match officials by her players last year as well as other issues. FC Fassell Management in response took the FA to court prompting halt to some national league events. Thru the interventions of some major stakeholders, senior government officials and private individuals, series of meetings were held behind closed doors to bring up a settlement between the both parties.

In a communication addressed to the FA on May 16, 2012 thru its acting Secretary-General, Mr. Yanqueh S. Borsay, the Appeal Committee of the Liberia Football Association mandated the FA to reinstate FC Fassell due to the fact that the evidences provided by the Executive Committee were inadequate to sustain and affirm the decision of suspending the Club, as was taken by the Executive Committee on March 30, 2012.

 The Appeal Committee, headed by Cllr. Karmo Soko Sackor, Co-chair by Atty. Joseph Kollie, with Cllr. Idella Cooper Shannon, Mr. Willard Russell, Mr. Willie Knuckles, Mr. Commany Wesseh and Cllr. Wheatonia D. Barnes serving as members, further quoted that "To uphold the integrity of the Liberia Football Association, and to ensure cordiality in the Association as well as to conform to the intent, spirit and letters of the Governing Statues, Rules and regulations of the LFA, the Appeal Board is of the firm view that the complainant FC Fassell, under the circumstances of this case, be reinstated."

According to the Public Relations Officer of the Club, Mr. Pawala Janyan, the Secretariat of the Liberia Football Association in response to the Appeal Committee's mandate, thru a communication dated May 21, 2012 and signed by Mr. Yanqueh S. Borsay, informed FC Fassell of the Club's reinstatement into the ongoing Cellcom national league. The Fassell Spokesman further stated that the acting Secretary General stated in the letter as follows:  "…I present you compliments on behalf of the President, Vice Presidents and Executive Committee of the Liberia Footbal Association (LFA), and herein forward to you, a self-explanatory communication from the Appeal Board requesting that Fassell F.C be reinstated into the ongoing Cellcom National League. Sir, with reference to the supra mentioned FASSELL FOOTBALL CLUB is hereby reinstated and given all privileges as a member club of the LFA with immediate effect. You are however requested to contact the Competition Department for the fixture of your remaining matches."

In additional, the Secretariat of the FA also informed all presidents of the first division via a memorandum on May 21, 2012 that the suspension placed on FC Fassell from all football activities has been lifted by the Appeal Committee and that all points deducted from matches played with FC Fassell are hereby restored and suspended matches with FC Fassell are also hereby rescheduled.

In a special message to the public, Mr. Janyan on behalf of FC Fassell extended thanks and appreciations to his colleagues (sports writers) for their stories and supports during the suspension saga. “Thanks to all of our fans and even fans of other clubs who stood by us during those stormy weathers. To the stakeholders of football, government officials and private individuals who were there for us, we are grateful to you guys also. We owe it to you all and to our players and officials, thanks for keeping the courage. All of your supports will not go unrewarded. God bless Football in Liberia, God bless sports in general and God bless Mama Liberia”, the Fassell PRO further stated.

FC Fassell will play her first match on this Friday, May 25, 2012 against Zelor FC at the TUSA Sports Pitch in Gardnersville at 4pm local time.