Liberia: Governance Crisis: Jubilee FC, Benita Urey Drag LFA to FIFA and CAF Over ‘Executive Overreach

Monrovia –Jubilee Football Club and Shaita Angels President Benita Whitney Urey have escalated their grievances to the international stage, filing a joint formal complaint against the Liberia Football Association (LFA) with FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

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

The consolidated complaint, filed on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, accuses the Mustapha Raji-led LFA of “persistent and documented violations” of its own statutes, including administrative interference with judicial bodies and the denial of appeal rights.

A Bitter Dispute Over Match Manipulation

The escalation follows a massive five-year ban slapped on Ms. Urey by the LFA Grievance and Disciplinary Committee on January 8.

The committee found Urey and Paynesville FC player Eugene Swen guilty of manipulating two 2024/25 league fixtures: Paynesville FC vs. Freeport FC and Shaita FC vs. Paynesville FC.

The LFA alleged that Urey violated the FIFA Disciplinary Code during a controversial match that saw Shaita FC secure a 7–0 victory over Paynesville FC.

Under the current sanction, Urey is barred from all football-related activities and stadium access until 2030.

However, Urey has hit back, characterizing the ban as a “political hit job” designed to silence her support for Cassell A. Kuoh’s upcoming presidential bid.

“This baseless accusation is clearly intended to target me because of my open support for opposition candidates,” Urey told Front Page Africa.

She further alleged that the ruling was based on “speculation and WhatsApp gossip” rather than concrete proof of financial inducement.

The Jubilee FC Precedent: CAS Reverses Relegation

Joining Urey in the international complaint is Jubilee FC, which recently won a major legal battle against the LFA at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland.

In October 2025, CAS Sole Arbitrator Hervé Le Lay overturned the LFA’s decision to relegate Jubilee FC to the Third Division.

The Swiss court found the LFA’s actions “procedurally flawed,” ruling that the Association violated due process by failing to hear the club’s appeal before confirming the demotion.

“CAS saw what happened and corrected it,” said Jubilee FC lawyer Joseph Howe.

Despite the CAS order for provisional reinstatement, the club alleges that the LFA has continued to employ “administrative obstruction” to frustrate the court’s decision.

Allegations of ‘Executive Overreach’

Through their legal counsel, the complainants argue that the LFA’s leadership has fostered an environment where judicial independence is routinely overridden by administrative dictates.

The joint filing to FIFA and CAF highlights the alleged refusal to implement binding judicial decisions, failing to provide fair hearings before imposing severe career-ending sanctions and Intentional disregard for the LFA’s own governing documents.

“No institution is above its own constitution,” the legal team stated in a public release.

The group warned that should the LFA retaliate against the international filing, they are prepared to invoke national laws and the jurisdiction of Liberian civil courts to protect their institutional integrity.

In response to the complaint by Jubilee and Benita Whitney, Urey LFA media Manager Anthony Kokoi said they have not received any communication of such.

“The LFA hasn’t received any communication from FIFA or CAF about such a matter. It’s the right of every club or individual to take such a path once they feel aggrieved.”

 He said when asked by the FPA sports Desk.

As the LFA prepares for its April Elective Congress, this international intervention adds significant pressure on President Mustapha Raji, whose administration has faced increasing scrutiny over its handling of internal disputes and its “zero-tolerance” policy, which critics label as selective.