Doloquee
- World Girls, a prominent team in the Orange women’s division, has been relegated to the women’s lower league following a complaint by Blanco FC.
- The complaint challenged the eligibility of player Menunatu Barrie, and after a thorough investigation, the grievance and disciplinary committee (GDC) ruled in favor of Blanco FC.
- World Girls was fined and Menunatu was banned from participating in LFA leagues until her transfer is regulated. The ruling did not affect Determine Girls’ status as champions.
In a surprising turn of events, World Girls, a prominent team in the Orange women’s division, has been relegated to the women’s lower league in Montserrado County. The demotion came as a result of a complaint lodged by Blanco FC, who challenged the eligibility of player Menunatu Barrie.
The grievance and disciplinary committee (GDC) thoroughly examined the evidence and facts presented by both clubs on April 24, 2023. The committee’s investigation revealed that Menunatu had played against Blanco on two separate occasions: November 5, 2022, and March 18, 2023.
During their inquiry, the GDC discovered that Menunatu is a Sierra Leonean national. Her passport, issued on July 1, 2021, is set to expire on July 1, 2026, and it contains a resident permit stamp that will expire on January 27, 2023. Additionally, the committee found that World Girls had provided identification cards with conflicting statuses of “resident” and “citizen,” potentially attempting to circumvent the requirements of work permits and international transfer certificates (ITC).
Based on the evidence, the GDC ruled in favor of Blanco FC. According to chapter 3, article 4.2 5(a) that governs the league, Blanco was awarded six points and four goals, while all the teams Menunatu played against were granted three points and two goals per match.
In addition to the points deduction, World Girls was fined L$20,000 for their actions. Furthermore, Menunatu has been banned from participating in LFA leagues until her transfer is properly regulated in accordance with the LFA regulations on the status and transfers of players.
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Although World Girls appealed the GDC’s ruling, their plea was denied by the appeals committee on May 10. All parties involved were duly notified of the decision.
Despite this setback, it is important to note that the ruling did not impact Determine Girls’ status as champions. They remain the rightful winners of the Orange women’s division, having performed exceptionally well throughout the season.
The relegation of World Girls serves as a reminder that fair play, adherence to regulations, and transparency are crucial aspects of any sporting competition. As the affected teams move forward, they will undoubtedly seek to learn from this experience and ensure that similar controversies are avoided in the future.
