Wleh Bedell

The chief patron of sports madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has begun playing a mediatory role in the current crisis in the Lone Star.

On Friday morning the president visited the team's training ground at the ATS in an attempt to get an insight with respect to the problems unfolding ahead of the historic fixture with Cameroun.

The 'iron lady' upon meeting the players first asked for the whereabouts of coach Jericho, with the most capped player on the squad Frank Seator replying "the coach is supposedly home for fear of his life by angry crowd". She also asked are all of you satisfied? What's the problem? let's talk as one family".

Seator then indicated that "the spectators are demanding that some players who were excluded from the team be recalled or else they would cause serious trouble on Sunday".

Also speaking was Swedish based midfielder Dulee Johnson who noted "i am disturbed by such development.

While it is true that these players are experienced, it is somehow unprofessional for them infuse tension ahead of the game".

The Indonesian based midfielder Stephen Mennoh also called on the president to amicably resolve the matter. He stressed "we too are Liberians and must be respected. The violence cannot resolve any problem"

Another Indonesian based player Sunday Seah hinted that he was disappointing in the dduo of Crayton and Markor for flaring up the tension at the stadium on Thursday.

The goalie cum striker noted " we did not protest when we were left out of other matches. Even in the first leg against Cameroun i was left out, but called on the team's camp before the game to wish the team well".

Deputy Coach David Nimely stated "it is seemingly impossible to include the players under discussion for the fact that we do not know their level of fitness".

He also noted "had it been something like three to four weeks we might have reconsider our decision".

Also speaking was deputy sports minister Marbu Richards who said the coach should be given a chance to do his work, and warned that any acts of violence could lead to the country being banned from all international competitions.

LFA VPO Lawrence also added his voice in appealing to the crowd to allow the coach do his job.

"In the match against Cameroon there were few problems that the technical staff noticed and these problems have been rectified with the inclusion of some players", he indicated.

Responding, madam Sirleaf said she was first grateful to the players for honoring the invitation in playing for their country, and particularly thanked those who made the journey from longer distances in honoring their country's call.

"Let me say thank you for honoring the call from far distances in using your talent to entertain your people".

She noted that she was willing to meet the likes of Markor, Crayton as well as Kelvin and Prince Daye (who are both due in later today) in an attempt to amicably resolve the matter.

The president noted that the were some young people who were bend on violence, but was calling on them to desist from such ugly act".

"I will be here at the ATS with all my cabinet ministers in rallying the team to on Sunday.

　"Whatever the outcome of the match be it victory or defeat the Lone Star will still be ours", the president highlighted.

On her way out of the stadium she made a stop at the Lynch Street end of the pitch where she met a huge crowd in concretizing the hem not to engage in acts of violence.

In a hilarious mood the president lifted the crowd by encouraging them to cheer the team and avoid trouble.

　She was then joined by Seator in urging the crowd to exercise restrain as the crowd applauded an sang pro Ellen and Seator slogan.