Greenville – Goalkeeper Marvin Sumo and Trainer Claudius Pajibo have denied allegations of match-fixing following the termination of their contracts by the Sinoe County Sports Steering Committee.
Sumo and Pajibo are accused of accepting money to fix the Group C match between Sinoe and Lofa County on Wednesday, January 15, 2024, at the James E. Green Stadium in Greenville. Two late goals from Emmanuel Flomo and James Tarpeh saw Lofa County come from a goal down to win 2-1.
Before the match, Sumo and Pajibo were alleged to have visited Lofa’s camp during the night, but the two men denied the claims during an investigation reportedly launched by Sinoe County Sports Steering Committee Chairman, Senator Clayton Duncan.
Concerns and pressure mounted after the game, particularly after goalkeeper Sumo was beaten by what appeared to be a weak free-kick from James Tarpeh in the 85th minute. However, some sports journalists covering the county meet in Sinoe told The Liberian Investigator that the two goals scored by Lofa County were legitimate, contrary to claims that Sumo deliberately allowed the ball into the net.
Responding to the allegations on a local station in Greenville, Sumo stated that the accusations were baseless and intended to damage his career. He revealed that he had received LD$15,000 from Senator Duncan on the morning of the game, emphasizing that he could not betray the trust placed in him.
“You mean I left my home and family to take a bribe and sabotage Sinoe? Even with all the motivation I received from Chairman Duncan, I would never do such a thing,” Sumo said.
The goalkeeper also dismissed allegations of being a citizen of Lofa County, clarifying that both of his parents are from Bong County. Sumo, who plays club football for Pepper FC in the Montserrado Sub-Association third division league, admitted, however, that the second goal was the result of a mistake.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper trainer Pajibo defended Sumo, highlighting his crucial saves in the match, as well as in the previous game where Sinoe defeated River Cess 2-0. Pajibo described the allegations as false.
“Sumo is a good goalkeeper who has committed himself to Sinoe County this year. He made several important saves, and I believe he would never do anything to hurt the county,” Pajibo said.
Pajibo, who also works as a goalkeeper trainer for second-division club Sinoe NPA, coached by current Lofa County head coach Kollie Korvy, insisted that the accusations were baseless and urged critics to focus on the team’s overall performance.
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