Dutch Club Expels Liberian International for Drunk-Driving

Written by Danesius Marteh -06 236 528


Liberian international footballer Dulee Johnson has been dominating the headlines in Holland and Liberia for all the wrong reasons.

The 26-year-old midfielder was expelled on Monday by Dutch club De Graafsharp for refusing to cooperate with police when he was involved in a traffic offense on Sunday.

The club said Dulee did not comply with the police when he was approached for a breath and blood test, which is a serious offense in Holland. Given some previous misconduct in the country, it was decided that his contract be terminated with immediate effect.

The club’s official website emphasizes that its players and staff should live an exemplary life. "Johnson and the club prepared and discussed his one-year contract. Both parties wanted a second chance but Johnson knew the consequences of a misstep," said director Bloemer Henk.

Dulee was selected for every match but capped three substitute appearances for De Graafsharp, who are third from bottom in the Dutch Eredivisie (premier league, with five points from eight games.

He also played a KNVB match (league cup) in which he scored his only goal for De Graafsharp. This is the fourth time in three years that Dulee, son of former national team player and coach Josiah Johnson, has seen his contract terminated at club level over indiscipline conduct.

Deceased Hungarian coach Bertalan Bicskei expelled the player along with Francis Grandpa Doe and Dioh Williams for breaking camp rules by going on a drinking spree ahead of the 2012 World Cup qualifier with Zimbabwe on September 5, 2010.

The trio then humiliated, insulted and assaulted this writer for taking their photos when they were taken to the LFA by Josiah in an attempt to forgive them. The incident disrupted the coach’s plan as Liberia conceded in the 30th minute through Knowledge Musona before debutant Sekou Jabateh-Oliseh equalized in the 69th minute.

Drunk-driving is a common offence among sports stars especially footballers. In February, Malian striker Garra Dembele was handed a suspended eight-month prison sentence for drunk-driving and producing a forged license while playing for Levski Sofia.

A Bulgarian court also disqualified the 24-year-old from driving in the European Union for nine months following his apprehension last year. Dembele, then the league's top scorer with 16 goals, was more than three times over the legal alcohol limit. His sentence was suspended for three years and the striker was ordered to pay minimal costs.