22/05/2026
To the Grievance and Ethics Committee of the Cabila Tournament
May 22, 2026
APPEAL TO THE GRIEVANCE AND ETHICS COMMITTEE OF THE CABILA TOURNAMENT REGARDING THE BASSANO FAMILY’S REJECTION OF THE TOURNAMENT RULING
The Bassano Family wishes to categorically reject and strongly disagree with the ruling delivered by the Cabila Sports & Entertainment Committee concerning the protest filed by Team Fakolee and Team Toure.
We believe the decision against Team Bassano is unfair, inconsistent, and unsupported by credible and conclusive evidence. Throughout the investigation, Team Bassano fully cooperated with the Committee and submitted all available documents in good faith to establish the identity and eligibility of our player.
It is deeply concerning that, despite the Committee admitting that fraudulent inconsistencies existed in some of the documents presented during the proceedings, Team Bassano was ultimately held solely responsible, while serious concerns surrounding the credibility and authenticity of documents submitted by the protesting teams were also acknowledged.
The ruling itself clearly states that the Citizen Card allegedly extracted from the LFA Connect System and presented by Team Fakolee was fraudulent and improperly generated. This alone raises substantial doubt about the integrity and reliability of the evidence relied upon during the investigation. It is therefore troubling that sanctions of such magnitude were imposed on Team Bassano despite the existence of conflicting and questionable evidence from Team Fakolee.
Furthermore, Team Bassano believes that the Committee relied heavily on assumptions, external narratives, and unverified conclusions instead of clear and convincing proof establishing intentional misconduct or fraud by the family or its leadership.
We maintain that Team Bassano did not deliberately field an illegal player with the intention of deceiving the tournament organizers or gaining any unfair advantage. The family acted based on the information and identity presented to us at the time of registration by the player’s current club, Mamba Point Warriors.
Mamba Point Warriors provided written documentation stating that the player was mistakenly registered as Shaba Kamara instead of Isiaka Jakety, and the letter clearly stated that the player’s legal name is Isiaka Jakety.
Additionally, the player’s mother personally testified during the Committee hearing that her son’s legal and biological name is Isiaka Jakety. Unfortunately, the Sports & Entertainment Committee failed to give proper consideration to her testimony.
We are also disappointed that the Committee chose to punish an entire institution and community despite the absence of evidence proving that Team Bassano knowingly participated in any act of impersonation or document falsification.
The forfeiture of two matches, the imposition of fines, and the suspension of the player represent excessive and harsh punishments that undermine the principles of fairness, equal treatment, and impartial justice.
Team Bassano remains committed to discipline, sportsmanship, and the integrity of the Cabila Tournament. However, we reserve our moral and legitimate right to challenge decisions that we believe are unjust, selective, and damaging to the reputation and credibility of the tournament.
We respectfully call on the leadership of the Grievance and Ethics Committee to review this ruling in the interest of fairness, transparency, and justice for all participating teams.
We further urge the Committee to look into this matter before our upcoming match against Team Sheriff on May 30, 2026.
The Bassano Family remains united, peaceful, and resolute.
Signed:
Lassana S. Sangary
Assistant Secretary
0778398055
Co-Signed:
Mohammed Sidibay
Sports Director
0770727816
Approved By:
Abraham Pezaro Sangare
Chairman
Bassano Youth Association of Liberia
