Monrovia – The Liberia Football Association has been partially cleared of any financial malpractices by the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA).
Report by Christopher C. Walker, [email protected]
In a communication from the Football’s world governing body to the Liberia Football Association (LFA), FIFA said it wants the LFA to follow laid down procedures in the procurement of goods and services as well as the disbursements of funding for programs and activities.
According to a release from the LFA, FIFA thanked the local football house for its cooperation during the recently concluded 2017 central review process.
From December 2 to the17, a three-man auditing team from FIFA visited the Liberian FA to conduct a forensic audit.
During the financial investigation of funds coming from FIFA to the LFA, it was discovered the US$600,000 could not be accounted for.
LFA president Musa Bility in a closed door meeting with the auditors, claimed the document was inserted into the LFA financial records and that it was not a part of any audit report and was not found on any bank statement.
“Unknown documents were presented to FIFA auditors, by unknown persons, who the LFA is not aware off,” Bility disclosed.
The LFA in a statement issued on Jan 3rd, 2018, termed the document as false and requested a full-scale criminal investigation in to the matter but since their statement there have been no outcome from the police.
“Pursuant to Article 17 of FIFA Forward Development Program Regulations, the FIFA Audit and Compliance Committee (“ACC”) assessed the reported results of your member association at its most recent meeting of 10 June 2018”. FIFA wrote LFA
FIFA said in its communication, “In light of adverse results identified in the final report received from the independent auditors, the Audit and Compliance Committee has decided that the release of development funding to your member association is to be restricted according to the following framework while steps to remediate the underlying issues are taken”.
FIFA will release development funding to the LFA including support to FIFA Forward Project as well as infrastructure projects to be undertaken by the LFA based on disbursements and instalments plans.
“This restriction will remain in place for a minimum period of three months. The progress of your member association against the revision framework outlined will be assessed by the ACC at its next meeting of September 2018, at which point your funding status may be reassessed”, the FIFA Communication noted.
FIFA has outlined 5 steps or procedures the LFA must follow in order to return to normal funding. Some of the steps are already in place according to a release from the LFA.
LFA, through its president, Musa Bility, has welcomed the report and said the LFA will be in compliance as agreed between it and the independent auditors as well as the FIFA Audit and Compliance Committee.
Bility told “SKY Sport” on SKY FM 107.1, on Saturday, June 30, that the decision by FIFA to restrict development funding to the Liberian FA is of no problem because its financial department is well knowledgeable to FIFA rules.
“We have not been involved in financial malpractice at the LFA. All of the funding given us by FIFA have been used for the intended purposes,” Bility said.
When asked about the financial report Bility said the stakeholders have received it and it shows the Football house good standing.
“Our financial reports are not for the public or the press. Go and ask the stakeholders; they have it and have not complained,” Bility.