By Alieu Ceesay
The Kombo South football scene descended into turmoil as a controversial decision reversal by the Kombo South Sports Committee ignited tensions.
This led to the cancellation of a semi-final match and deepened the rivalry between Jam City FC and Young Boys Stars. The chaos, rooted in a disputed ruling from a heated semi-final clash, has raised questions about fairness, transparency, and consistency in the region’s football governance.
The drama unfolded during a semi-final match between Jam City FC and Young Boys Stars, which was abandoned in the 83rd minute after a physical altercation broke out on the pitch. With just a minute of stoppage time remaining, Mustapha Badjie of Young Boys Stars and Yaya Saidy of Jam City FC clashed, prompting a melee that forced officials to halt the game. Initially, the Sanyang Sports Committee (SSC) ruled in favor of Jam City FC, citing a rule violation by Young Boys Stars.
In a letter dated April 7, 2025, the SSC awarded Jam City three points and two goals, while fining Young Boys Stars’ Mustapha Badjie D1,000 for his involvement in the fight.
The decision, however, was short-lived. On April 9, 2025, Young Boys Stars lodged a formal protest with the Kombo South Sports Committee (KSSC), arguing that the SSC’s ruling lacked evidence and fairness.
The KSSC, the district’s governing body, reviewed the referee’s report, which did not conclusively identify the party responsible for the match’s abandonment. The committee overturned the SSC’s decision, declaring it “unfair and without merit.” Citing Young Boys Stars’ lead at the time of the stoppage, the KSSC awarded them the victory and waived the D1,000 fine imposed on Badjie. The ruling stated, “The referee’s report did not indicate who was responsible for the abandonment. To single out Young Boys Stars as perpetrators is not only unfair but grossly unjustifiable.”
The reversal sparked immediate backlash from Jam City FC and their supporters, who viewed the decision as a betrayal of fair play. The outrage boiled over during another semi-final match, which was disrupted by angry Jam City fans and players, forcing officials to cancel the game due to safety concerns.
In a statement, Jam City FC expressed deep frustration, accusing both the SSC and KSSC of inconsistency and a lack of transparency. “This inconsistency in decision-making and lack of transparency from both committees is deeply disappointing and raises concerns over fairness and due process,” the club said. They called for a thorough and impartial review of the match outcome, supported by documented evidence and clear communication, urging authorities to provide a “final, just resolution.”
The controversy has exposed underlying tensions in Kombo South’s football community, with both clubs feeling unfairly treated at different stages of the dispute. Young Boys Stars’ protest letter highlighted their belief that the SSC’s initial ruling was baseless, while Jam City now echoes similar sentiments about the KSSC’s reversal.
The referee’s report, which noted that players and fans from both teams contributed to the abandonment, has only muddied the waters, leaving neither side satisfied with the process.
The matter now awaits escalation to the West Coast Regional Football Committee, the superior authority to the KSSC, for a final ruling.
As the regional body prepares to review the case, the Sanyang football community remains on edge, with trust in local sports governance hanging in the balance. The incident has disrupted the Kombo South tournament and cast a shadow over the integrity of its decision-making processes.
For Jam City FC, the fight is about more than just three points. “We respectfully urge the relevant authorities to address this matter transparently,” the club reiterated, emphasizing the need for consistency and fairness in district football.
Meanwhile, Young Boys Stars stand firm in their belief that the KSSC’s ruling reflects the actual state of the match, with their lead at the time of abandonment justifying their victory.
As the West Coast Regional Football Committee prepares to weigh in, the Kombo South semi-finals remain unresolved, with no clear timeline for a resolution. The fallout from this controversy serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing grassroots football in the region, where passion for the game often collides with the complexities of governance. For now, Sanyang’s football fans can only hope for a resolution that restores faith in the beautiful game.
