BASSETERRE, St. Kitts –THE St. Kitts-Nevis Football Association (SKNFA) has suspended all games slated for today (Apr. 21), following a stabbing incident last evening at Warner Park that left Raheem Francis nursing serious injuries.
Though circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear at this time, SKNVibes News understands that it happened after the game was completed.
Francis, who plays for RAMS Village Superstars, was very much involved in the game against SOL Island Auto Conaree, which the former club won 2-1.
In a statement today, the SKNFA said it is currently investigating a stabbing incident that occurred at the end of the Premier League Match, RAMS Village Superstars vs. SOL IAS Conaree, which resulted in player Raheem Francis being hospitalised in critical condition at the JNF General Hospital in Basseterre.
“To this end, all National Bank Premier League matches scheduled for today, Sunday 21 April 2019, have been postponed until further notice.
“At this moment, our prayers and thoughts are with Raheem and his family as they go through this difficult period. Raheem Francis is a former National U-17 and U-20 player and a current player of the RAMS Village Superstars and the National Senior Men's team,” the SKNFA statement read.
Opposition member Hon. Konris Maynard, who is the Parliamentary Representative for Constituency Number Three where the Village team is based, called for prayers for the young footballer.
In a social media post today, the MP asked for everyone to join with him in prayers for Raheem 'Pipe' Francis “who was senselessly, cowardly, and viciously stabbed by a Conaree Player at Warner Park after Village defeated Conaree 2-1 on Saturday Night”.
Maynard described Francis as a great young man, both on and off the field, noting that he “does not deserve this at all”.
According to the MP, “My Heart goes out to his parents, family and friends at this time as we pray for his recovery. Doctors worked all night until early this morning trying their best to put things back together. I pray now for the healing hands of Jesus to lay on young Raheem this Easter Sunday and beyond.
“Let us also pray that justice be done, and that Law Enforcement is able to find and apprehend the perpetrator of this heinous act. As I write this, I am struggling to keep back the tears as this was just so unnecessary and needless.”
The St. Kitts-Nevis Football Association has over the last two years stepped up security efforts to protect players and officials at games following a number of incidents at Warner Park.
