Two Ex-officials
Want Malikie Expelled Over US$5,000 Scam
May 18, 2005
- But Players, Others Justify Scam
Invincible Eleven (I.E.), one of the lowly motivated Clubs in the
country, seems to be saddled with multiple problems ranging from
administrative to financial. It is singing the "no money" song and its
administration is fumbling without effectively and efficiently
managing the affairs of the club its followers referred to as
"Liberia's darling club".
Despite the hails of problems making it difficult for the club to
assume its pre-war status, players who are daring and want to see
themselves make strides in their career remain unperturbed and
undaunted in their quests to be professional footballers.
One of such lads was the club adventurous striker Bob Zeo who broke
into the pinnacle of Ghanaian football by joining ranks with emerging
giant Kpondi Hearts of Lion.
Fans and sympathizers of the yellow family then felt their manna had
come down - at least in a long period of time - from the heavens as
they would benefit from the mouth watering transfer fees.
But things went quite the opposite as funds accrued from Zeo's
transfer were reportedly squandered by the club's Vice President for
Operation, Malikie Dukuly.
After Zeo's impressive run in the Coca-cola Cup in Ghana, authorities
at the club formed a marriage with the budding star and paid US$5000
as his transfer fees, which Dukuly allegedly pocketed thereby denying
the Invincible Eleven the transfer fees for the player.
Mr. Dukuly has already admitted receiving the player transfer, but
presented few pairs of boots claiming it was his good will gesture to
the club in his capacity as VPO.
But thanks to the Liberia/Senegal match which player Bob Zeo had to
honor and then made the revelation of the staggering amount Mr. Dukuly
received.
Others who found it too prone to believe were cleared of the doubts
when the striker divulged that on a local Radio talk show via
telephone from his base in Ghana.
Malikie had been tightlipped all along on the issue for weeks, but he
was coerced to yield to pressure and he admitted receiving the
player's transfer fee.
The Player's International Registry Transfer Certificate (IRTC) was
sent by the Liberian FA, which is yet to get a bite of the cherry, as
I.E. continues to be in ruin.
Another ugly scene has unfolded in Liberian football. The local
football house has again sent transfer certificates with people having
contrasting views as to whether the club involved benefited.
Though pro-Malikie elements believe that the issue has been put to
rest, evidence of the fact were still strong against the IE VPO that
forced him to admit receiving transfer fee for the player.
But the Malikie's problem is far from over as two Ex-officials of the
club based in the United States of America have warned that Mr. Dukuly
should not go unpunished, and they are demanding that legal action be
taken against him for stooping so low as siphoning players' transfer
fees.
In a telephone interview with our Sports Desk, Messrs Edward Forson
and Sam Brown are indignant of Malikie alleged action and are calling
for his expulsion from the club.
They said he has exposed the club to disrepute and should not be
considered as an executive or stalwart of the club.
"He should not be forgiven easily. His admission of guilt should not
in any way exonerate him from any punishment. Let him be brought to
book, so as to prevent others from engaging in such act," they said.
"The [local] FA too needs to come out and explain the entire transfer
issue. Because, she certainly benefited hugely," a diehard
"yellow-boys" fan said.
In the wake of the reported misuse of transfer money of the former
player of the Invincible Eleven Majestic Sports Association (IEMSA),
the playing body and technical staff of the team have sought
clarification from Mr. Dukuly.
The players and technical staff are now justifying the action of Mr.
Dukuly despite efforts by some serious-minded fanatics of the Yellow
boys to get to the bottom of the alleged scandal.
The players and some technical staffers have stated categorically that
after seeking clarification and being provided with an understanding,
it has decided to issue a release exonerating IE Veep for four
reasons.
They said, "Mr. Malikie Dukuly transported himself and paid for his
personal lodging and feeding for the period that he spent in Accra,
Ghana, and that Mr. Dukuly received the football boots and purchased
additional twenty-four pairs on his personal account and delivered
same to the team which are being used in the ongoing national league."
They also claimed that "Mr. Dukuly received the money in question and
spent it for the operation of the team, including settling one month
salary arrears, and promised to settle another after the team's April
24 match and providing per-diem and transportation for the team, and
that Mr. Dukuly also assisted player Sekou Sheriff to acquire air
ticket to honor his trip to Ghana." The sixteen signatories to the two
page document included fourteen players and two technical staffers.
The Invincible Eleven Majestic Sports Association (IEMSA) playing body
and technical staff further said they are a single and united family
and it will be appreciated if members of the media sought
clarification from the club on such issue for the future.
The sixteen signatories included Raymond Moulton head Coach and Prince
Jallabah Team Manager. Others are Captain Toney Bracewell, Robert
Duncan, Lincoln Gatei, Sekou Sheriff, Sylvester Dweh, Opelo George,
George Boe and Bill Paytoe.
The rest are Abel Quiah, Garmudeh Thompson, Kalifa Kromah, Thomas
Mann, Trokon Bernard and Teah Nelson.
Though these individuals have come out with such statement, the
question many are asking why now?
Many scrupulous soccer fanatics and connoisseurs are questioning the
moral of the players and technical staff.
One observer noted, "How could the players be so fast to justify the
alleged fraudulent act of their Vice President when others are calling
for an investigation?" It can be recalled at the initial stage of this
whole transfer saga many players and technical staff members were
dissatisfied over the manner in which Mr. Dukuly handled the issue.
At the same time, the team has extended its heartfelt congratulation
to Mr. Malikie Dukuly for the assistance he continues to render the
I.E. team and apologized to him for the embarrassment the media
reports may have caused his reputation.
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