Monrovia — A Liberian football stakeholder, Emmett ‘Stages’ Glassco, has called on the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) to conduct an audit of Mustapha Raji’s stewardship as president of the Liberia Football Association (LFA), claiming alleged irregularities of funds given to the LFA by FIFA since 2018.
Glassco claimed why various leagues under the LFA are struggling financially when the LFA under Raji has reportedly received over $13 million from FIFA.
Controversy has since blurred the total cost spent on the construction of the LFA headquarters in 2023, with contrary figures being announced by Raji.
During a July 2, 2024 press conference, Raji insisted that $1.89 million was spent on the construction of the LFA headquarters despite having initially announced during the commissioning program in April 2023 of using $1.5 million dollars as cost for the construction of the LFA headquarters.
Glassco believes the discrepancy from Raji and auditors, where Raji disagreed with what the auditor presented in the Audited Financial Statement is some of the reasons a reputable and International Audit firm should be appointed by FIFA to urgently check the account books of the Federation to ensure that funds are judiciously expended.
The Auditor provided a Qualified Opinion to the Financial Statement, noting many financial issues within the Liberia Football Association.
Glassco also wants the audit report to be made public so as to promote transparency, build credibility and enhance the country’s football market value.
“This is a very serious issue that must be given urgent attention to avoid another international embarrassment like the disqualification of the U-17 national team,” he said.
In a management letter signed by the football house after a local comprehensive audit, the auditors raised the issue of money collected as gate intake not accounted for, for many over the years, though the LFA claimed what they owed could not verify the debts, the recording of financial transactions were not done professionally.
The letter revealed that there is a possibility of corruption by the Football Association after they alleged of paying workers on the pitch after each match day without receipt or record showing reflection on money spent.
Glassco explained that such practice by people claiming to be free of corruption is not right and something must be done.
However, when contacted, Anthony Kokoi of the LFA media department disagreed with Glassco about the issue of corruption in the football association.
According to him, if the football stakeholder wants to know more about money coming to the FA, he should visit their financial department before speaking on an issue he doesn’t know about.
“How can you say FIFA should conduct an audit on us when there is no audit report that has shown a single corruption at the LFA” he said.
