Gambia: Interio FC Coach Banned for Malicious Comments

The Daily Observer (Banjul)

Nanama Keita

25 March 2011

A popular pastime for Gambian fans is to complain about the officiating of league matches. But coaches usually save such accusations for the spectators. However, Interior FC head coach Ebrima Manneh has called out a referee for giving Bakau United a make-up call, and now he’s being banned for defamation.

According to Point Sports, the Organising Committee of the Gambia Football Association has suspended the Interior boss for the rest of the first round after his unprofessional comment that the GFA president, Seedy Kinteh, has bribed the referees during his side’s 1-1 with Bakau United on Saturday. Manneh also faces a fine of D5, 000.

Lamin King Colley, the second vice-president of the Gambia Football Association, who doubles as the chairman of the GFA Organizing Committee, said Coach Manneh will not be allowed to watch any league game during the course of his suspension, hinting that his committee will make all efforts to ensure that indiscipline is not accommodated in the domestic league.

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