19/12/2025
REBUTTAL TO THE LFA AWARDS COMMITTEE
On the Omission of Jonathan Freeman from the Best Young Player of the Year and Most Valuable Player of the Year Nominations:
The omission of Jonathan Freeman, a standout performer who helped his club Discoveries Sports Academy, finish 4th on the League Table of the Liberia Football Association (LFA) nominations for Best Young Player of the Year and Most Valuable Player of the Year 2024/2025 raises serious concerns about fairness, transparency, and strict adherence to the LFA’s own published criteria.
Jonathan Freeman, born September 12, 2007 (age 18), featured in more than 90% of Discoveries Sports Academy’s matches during the 2024/2025 season. Based purely on performance, availability, discipline, and overall impact at the club level, he not only qualifies for nomination but clearly exceeds the benchmarks required for both awards.
2024/2025 LFA First Division League Performance
(Discoveries Sports Academy)
Matches Played: 25 out of 26
Minutes Played: 90×25 = 2,250 minutes
Goals Scored: 20
Assists: 13
Total Goal Contributions: 33
Average Minutes per Match: 90+
Matches Missed: 1 (one-match suspension due to accumulated yellow cards)
Out of a possible 26 league fixtures (13 teams × 2), Jonathan Freeman featured in over 96% of his club’s games, far exceeding the 80% minimum requirement. He played 90 or more minutes in nearly every match, demonstrating remarkable consistency, physical fitness, and the confidence of the Discoveries Sports Academy technical staff.
2024/2025 Orange Cup Performance:
Matches Played: 3
Goals Scored: 3
Assists: 1
Total Goal Contributions: 4
Yellow Cards: 1
Red Cards: 0
Minutes Played: 90 × 3 = 270 (90 minutes per match)
Assessment Against LFA Award Criteria
(Best Young Player of the Year)
Age Requirement (16–19): ✅ Met (18 years old)
Minimum 80% Matches Played: ✅ Met (96%+)
Average 90 Minutes per Match: ✅ Exceeded (90+)
Significant Contribution to Club’s Final Ranking: ✅ Clearly demonstrated (33 goal contributions)
Low Caution/Expulsion Record: ✅ Met (no red cards, minimal cautions)
(Most Valuable Player of the Year)
Minimum 80% Matches Played: ✅ Met
Average 70 Minutes per Match: ✅ Exceeded
Significant Contribution to Club Performance: ✅ Outstanding
Low Disciplinary Record: ✅ Met
By every measurable standard set by the LFA, Jonathan Freeman qualifies convincingly and competitively for nomination in both categories.
Critical Question:
If an 18 year-old player who recorded:
★33 total goal contributions,
★Over 96% match participation,
★Consistent 90+ minutes per game,
Minimal disciplinary issues, and If an exceptional club-level impact cannot earn even a nomination, then the integrity and credibility of the selection process must be called into question.
Call for Accountability:
This rebuttal respectfully calls on the LFA Awards Committee to:
1. Publicly clarify the basis for Jonathan Freeman’s omission.
2. Demonstrate transparency by explaining how the published criteria were applied.
3. Reaffirm its commitment to merit-based recognition, free from bias or selective judgment.
Note: Football thrives on fairness. Awards lose credibility when performance is ignored.
Jonathan Freeman’s exclusion is not simply an oversight and it is an injustice that demands immediate explanation and Reconsideration.