MONROVIA, Montserrado – Ahead of Liberia’s crucial match against the Elephants of Cote D’ Ivoire, football world governing body FIFA has named Tunisians as the match officials but Watanga Football Club captain Jackson Wleh believes the appointment of the Tunisians was the wrong decision by FIFA. He has asked the Liberia Football Association to request new officials.
Just less than two months ago, the Lone Star of Liberia whipped Tunisia 1-0 at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium in the 2017 African Cup of Nations qualifiers and Wleh believes the Tunisians will are likely to have a bias against Liberia.
“It’s a game of football. Football isn’t friendly as you see it,” Wleh said. “We won Tunisia few weeks ago, and we must expect a grudge from any Tunisian. It’s not about FIFA or CAF (Confederation of African Football) competition but it’s about football. The appointment of those officials wasn’t the right one. I feel it’s not in our interest, and I want football authorities to take an action. The game is about two weeks from now, and the LFA could request new match officials.”
Liberia will host the Elephants of Cote D’ Ivoire on November 13 at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium in the second preliminary round of the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. The match officiating will be led by Youssef Srairi, with fellow Tunisians Mohamed Bitouta and Faouzi Jeridi providing assistance.
Featured photo courtesy of Jackson Wleh
