Monrovia- Liberia has been banned from hosting international soccer games by the Confederation of African Football because of the substandard stadium
Liberia was due to host the Central African Republic next month (September) in the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying but will now need to find a neutral venue for that game and maybe the rest of its qualifiers until the Samuel Kayon Doe Sports Complex can meet CAF and FIFA full approval.
The ban stems from an inspection visit by the Confederation of African Football early this year when the African soccer body ordered Liberia to upgrade its stadium, in particular, Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex.
The decision from CAF follows the final inspection conducted on August 18, 2021.
According to CAF’s latest communication sent to the Liberia Football Association on 24 August, it is due to the need to ensure the best pitch condition at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex.
The commutation from the Africa soccer body has requested Liberia to play her second game of the qualifier against the Central African Republic at the Stade de la Reunification Stadium in Douala, Cameroon on September 6, 2021.
CAF issues with SKDAccording to CAF, “the natural pitch is very poor conditions and damaged in many areas including the field of play and the warm-up areas;
Unfortunately, there was a total decline in the quality of the pitch;
The pitch has glimpses of 4 different kinds of grass which does not meet the requirements of an
acceptable football field and several areas have been affected due to poor knowledge. The
watering of the pitch had seized. There are signs of insects that had taken over the grass
causing its growth. The pitch was not level and the playing surface was evenly hard. A lot of work
needs to be done to get the pitch at an appreciable level.
Installation of a new pitch (natural or artificial) is required;
o Recommendation to hire a professional company to assist with the pitch maintenance;
In the case of the artificial pitch, a FIFA Field Certificate must be provided for the artificial turf which
cannot be older than 2 years. The Artificial turf must meet all the following conditions:
it must have been granted the required FIFA license, which can only be delivered after the
turf in question has been tested by a FIFA-accredited laboratory as meeting the FIFA quality
standards for artificial turf.
For evening matches, the floodlights LUX capacity must be according to the CAF CL match
requirements:
A minimum 1200 Lux should be provided all over the pitch, covering uniformly every area of
the playing field;
Floodlight system must be checked by an expert company.”
FIFA and CAF Give SKD Sports Complex One Match Approval for World Cup qualifiers
It can be recalled few days, SKD was given a one-match approval by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as the result of ongoing renovation works on the stadium, after several areas were improved including, dressing rooms, playing pitch, VIP rooms, the creation of special clinic, Anti-doping room, improvement of the Referees dressing room, Match Commissioners room, special Media Tribune, amongst other. But the bucket seats and Turnstile which are part of the main requirements are yet to be installed.
And as per CAF and FIFA’s previous Communications, Liberia was only told to play Central Africa Republic (CAR) on 7 September for Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and try to meet up all of the requirements set by the two football bodies.
Meanwhile, Lonestar kicks off her World Cup qualifiers campaign against Group C favorite Nigeria in Lagos on September 3, 2021.
