Troubling Moment For Liberian Football
-Lone Star Coach Poisoned



By Roland M. Mulbah
rolandmulbah@liberiansoccer.com
2316714850


What can be described as a very troubling moment for Liberian football on its road to recovery as far as the performance of the Lone Star is concerned has come to the fore with the news that old man Bertalan Bicskei, head coach of the Lone Star has since been flown back to his native Hungary to attend medical check up as he is said to be in a very critical condition after he was reportedly poisoned in Liberia.

To make matter worse, former international captain Joe Nagbe has resigned as member of the technical crew of the Lone Star on grounds that the local football house has continuously renege on its promises to pay him on a monthly basis.

 The ex- French club Nice midfielder had on several occasions complained to sources that the LFA has adopted a lukewarm attitude in paying him and threatened to resign. True to his threat, the former Lone Star ace has thrown in the tower to the disbelief of many. But, it seems from all indication that such news of Joe Nagbe is being overshadowed by the news that Bertalan Bicskei has been flown back home due to illness, and in fact poison.

A source as the FA who preferred not to be named said the coach noted that he received a biscuit from someone during one of the practices at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium (ATS), and knowing that they are all working together he had no hesitation but to eat the biscuit, not knowing that this would mean disastrous to him. "But the sad thing is that the coach says he cannot remember who gave him the biscuit", our source hinted.

Bicskei according to further reports left Liberia with a swollen stomach and what sources describe as sore ears, something which has so far caused stir in the camp of the Lone Star. With the Coach reportedly noting that he will be unable to form part of the delegation for the game with CapeVerde on March 25 in continuation of the 2012 African Nations Cup qualifier, there is certainly a smell of trouble in Liberian football. "Such issue is unprecedented in Liberian football and there is a need for thorough investigation", an executive of the LFA noted recently.

 Many football followers are urging the LFA to make an official statement on the matter and as well call on the Liberia National Police to probe the matter. Also, observers say the likes of Gabriel Johns, Raymond Moulton, Joe Nagbe (despite resigning) Frank Jericho Nagbe ( despite being axed based on Bicskei's recommendation) must be invited for questioning since they are the ones the coach has always work with. Besides, there are calls for the caretakers and others attached to the team to be queered on the whole Coaching issue as such is a very grave matter.

At the same time, there are calls for the Liberia Football Association (LFA) to suspend the entire technical staff of the Lone Star pending investigation surrounding the illness of the Hungarian coach with an interim or caretaker team of coaches being appointed to handle the Lone Star for its pending engagement with the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde.