Monrovia – The long-running legal dispute between the Liberia Football Association (LFA) and Jubilee Football Club will finally come under international scrutiny this Thursday, October 23, 2025 when the case is heard at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland.
By Christopher C. Walker [email protected]
According to official correspondence obtained by FrontPage Africa, the case CAS 2025/A/11482 Jubilee FC v. Liberia Football Association will determine whether the LFA acted lawfully when it relegated Jubilee FC to the Third Division earlier this year over an alleged breach involving a fake business registration document and a US$10,000 unpaid fine.
Thursday’s hearing is set to take place at CAS headquarters in Lausanne, with both parties represented by their respective legal teams.
Official CAS Correspondence
In a letter dated October 21, 2025, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) confirmed several procedural rulings in the ongoing case between Jubilee FC and the Liberia Football Association (LFA).
The correspondence, signed by CAS Counsel Delphine Deschenaux-Rochat, stated that the LFA’s request to introduce three new witnesses Momo Kparteh, Emmett Crayton, and Joel Freeman was denied because they were not listed in the association’s earlier submissions.
CAS also noted that Mr. Ambrose Taplah will not attend the hearing, and that only Mr. Jlayteh Sayor will be heard as a witness.
Both parties were reminded to sign and return the Order of Procedure by October 23, 2025, ahead of Thursday’s session in Lausanne, Switzerland.
A Landmark Hearing for Liberian Football
Thursday’s hearing could have far-reaching consequences for Liberia’s domestic football structure, potentially affecting promotion and relegation outcomes from the First Division down to the Third.
If the Church Boys prevail, CAS could order the LFA to Reinstate Jubilee FC to the First Division, and Pay more than US$30,000 in restitution and legal costs.
However, if the LFA wins, the current league season will continue as structured, without any alteration to club placements or fixtures.
CAS Clarifies Witness Status
The Court of Arbitration for Sport has also clarified the status of witnesses proposed by the LFA in the ongoing Jubilee FC appeal, highlighting procedural intricacies in the case.
In a letter dated October 20, 2025, CAS Counsel Delphine Deschenaux-Rochat informed both the LFA and Jubilee FC that Mr. Momo Kparteh, Mr. Emmett Crayton, and Mr. Joel Freeman would not be recognized as independent witnesses, as they are considered party representatives rather than independent observers.
Despite this, LFA Secretary General Emmett Crayton told FrontPage Africa that the association’s 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. “Our witnesses will still provide their testimony in the proceedings.”
This clarification comes amid growing scrutiny of football governance in Liberia, where questions over fairness and transparency in disciplinary procedures have often sparked debate.
Additionally, Mr. Ambrose Taplah, initially named as a witness, will no longer attend the hearing. The decision leaves the LFA with only one officially recognized witness, Mr. K. Jlayteh Sayor, Sr.
Background of the Dispute
The case stems from the LFA’s decision to fine and relegate Jubilee FC, popularly known as the Church Boys, following allegations that the club submitted falsified business registration documents during the 2024/2025 club licensing process.
The Football Investigative Board (FIB) initially found that Jubilee FC had acted in good faith and recommended a reduced US$1,000 fine. However, the LFA imposed the full US$10,000 penalty and later enforced automatic relegation after the club failed to pay before the deadline.
Jubilee FC has described the LFA’s action as “vindictive and inconsistent with procedural fairness,” arguing that the governing body overstepped its disciplinary authority.
Developments Ahead of Thursday’s Hearing
In subsequent letters dated October 21 and 22, 2025, CAS reiterated that the LFA’s request to introduce new witnesses was denied for procedural reasons, noting that they were not listed in the association’s written submissions.
Both sides Attorney Joseph Howe representing Jubilee FC and Mr. Benedict A. Yarsiah, Legal Affairs Manager of the LFA—have been instructed to sign and return the Order of Procedure by the hearing date.
The correspondence, issued from the Palais de Beaulieu in Lausanne, underscores CAS’s focus on due process and procedural integrity ahead of the high-stakes session.
A ruling in favor of Jubilee FC could trigger a major shake-up in Liberian football, potentially forcing the LFA to revisit the league’s promotion and relegation framework.
For the LFA, a favorable ruling would reinforce its disciplinary powers and preserve the current league structure.
With both parties set to appear before CAS on Thursday, the football community in Liberia is watching closely. The decision could set a precedent for future governance and disciplinary cases in Liberian football.
A ruling is expected shortly after Thursday’s hearing.
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