Liberia: CAS Clarifies Witness Status in Jubilee FC Appeal; LFA SG Says “Our Witnesses Were Not Denied”

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland, has clarified the status of witnesses proposed by the Liberia Football Association (LFA) in the ongoing Jubilee Football Club appeal, a development that has drawn attention to procedural nuances in Liberian football governance.

---

By   Christopher C. Walker [email protected] 0777898224/0886723075

---

In a letter dated October 20, 2025, CAS counsel Delphine Deschenaux-Rochat informed both the LFA and Jubilee FC that three individuals Mr. Momo Kparteh, Mr. Emmett Crayton, and Mr. Joel Freeman would not be recognized as independent witnesses in Case CAS 2025/A/11482. CAS explained that the individuals are considered party representatives, not independent witnesses.

Despite the letter, LFA Secretary General Emmett Crayton told FrontPage Africa that their witnesses have not been denied the opportunity to testify. “The Court only reminded us that three of the witnesses are also parties to the case,” Crayton said, adding that the LFA’s witnesses will still provide their testimony in the proceedings.

This clarification comes amid growing scrutiny of football governance in Liberia, where questions over procedural fairness and transparency have often sparked debate. While CAS’s classification may limit the formal designation of certain individuals, the LFA maintains that it will fully participate in the appeal process.

Additionally, Mr. Ambrose Taplah, initially announced as a witness, will no longer attend the hearing.

The decision leaves the LFA with only one official witness, Mr. K. Jlayteh Sayor, Sr., Counsellor-At-Law, for the hearing scheduled on October 22–23, 2025, significantly weakening its position against Jubilee FC.

CAS has also requested that Jubilee FC provide the names and contact details of its representatives attending the hearing.

Background of the Dispute

The case stems from the LFA’s decision to fine and relegate Jubilee FC popularly known as the “Church Boys” after allegations emerged that the club submitted falsified business registration documents during the 2024/2025 club licensing process.

While the Football Investigative Board (FIB) initially found that Jubilee FC acted in good faith and recommended a reduced US$1,000 fine, the LFA imposed the full US$10,000 penalty and enforced automatic relegation after Jubilee FC failed to pay in time.

The club described the action as “vindictive and inconsistent with procedural fairness.”

LFA Legal Representative Silent

When contacted, Cllr. Benedict A. Yarsiah, the LFA’s Legal Affairs Manager and representative for the case, promised to speak to FrontPage Africa (FPA) regarding the CAS decision.

However, up to press time, he had not reached FPA newsroom as promised, leaving questions about the Association’s response unanswered.

Implications for the LFA

Legal experts say the denial of the LFA’s witnesses undermines its defense and leaves the Association in a precarious position. Veteran Sports Journalist Danesius Marteh noted, “This decision exposes the weaknesses in how the LFA has handled this case and raises serious questions about transparency and due process in Liberian football governance.”

The ruling also increases pressure on the LFA to justify its disciplinary actions against Jubilee FC without testimony from its intended witnesses, while the football community watches closely.

An Uncertain Outcome

With the CAS hearing imminent, the outcome could have significant ramifications. A ruling in favor of Jubilee FC may damage the LFA’s reputation and result in compensation claims, while a decision supporting the Association could reaffirm its disciplinary authority but now without the support of its internal witnesses.

As Liberia’s football season unfolds, the Jubilee case continues to cast a long shadow, underscoring lingering questions about fairness, accountability, and governance at the heart of the country’s football administration.