IE
Settles CAF Fine
By Julu M. Johnson, Jr.
The Liberian football premier league champions Invincible Eleven (IE)
has settled the fine imposed on it by the African football governing
body (CAF).
The Deputy Secretary-General for Administration of the LFA, Mr.
Jenkins Pelenah disclosed that the Sunshine Yellow Boys have indeed
paid to the LFA the full amount of US$1,500.00 for onward payment to
CAF.
The LFA had initially threatened to bar IE from taking part in the
next league season unless the money was paid.
However, according to Mr. Pelenah, the payment of the money has now
paved the way for the participation of IE in the pending 2008 LFA
National League.
Despite paying the fine, IE would still not be allowed to compete in
CAF clubs competitions for the next three years as part of the
punishment.
Mr. Pelenah, a former President of the defunct St. Anthony FC, added
that the LFA now looks up to seeing IE register for the forthcoming
football season, to be held in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, Harbel,
Margibi County, Tubmanburg, Bomi County and Ganta, Nimba County from
June to September, 2008.
The Liberian champions suffered both fine and three-year suspension
from CAF after failing to participate in the ongoing 2008 CAF
Champions League in spite of being paired against AS Kaloum of Guinea
in the first round stage.
Another Liberian team, Black Star was put against Satellite FC of
Guinea in the 2008 Confederation Cup but the former was eliminated at
the end of the day.
IE won the 2007 football league title following ten years of waiting
and struggle in the wilderness. The season before the triumph, the
Yellow Boys spent one year in the first division due to relegation in
2005 from the premier league.
Much of the credit for IE's success went to star striker and skipper
Joseph Hina alias 'Kellie', who returned from seeking greener pasture
abroad to take IE from the relegation zone to the championship. He
became the National League's top scorer in the process.
|
|
