Liberian football administrator Emmett Stages Glassco has urged the Executive Committee of the Liberia Football Association (LFA) to withdraw Emmett Crayton’s appointment as Secretary General.
Glassco asserts that this appointment constitutes a significant conflict of interest orchestrated by LFA president Mustapha Raji.
He alleged that Crayton, who currently serves as the president of Gardnerville FC, a club recently sold by Raji to Senator Saah Joseph of Montserrado County, presents a clear conflict of interest.
He emphasized that Raji’s role is to serve the interests of Liberian football enthusiasts and should remain free of such conflicts.
The LFA announced Crayton’s appointment late on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, following unanimous endorsement by the Executive Committee.
Crayton succeeds Kollie Dorko who resigned from the position on April 30, 2024 and this appointment marks the third of such appointment under Raji’s presidency of the LFA.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, Glassco, president of the Senior Female Professional, claimed that Crayton, as the head of the secretariat, could unduly influence referees in favor of his club.
He described the appointment as a strategic move that could further devalue football in the country.
“Crayton will not have the fortitude to challenge Raji on critical issues because of their past association at the club level,” Glassco remarked.
He also referenced an incident from September 11, 2023, when Raji asked Benita Urey to recuse herself from the vote counting process for the LFA Awards due to a potential conflict of interest, as she had a player (Miatta Morris) competing for the Female MVP title.
Glassco argued that similar standards should apply, suggesting that appointing a close associate like Crayton as General Secretary compromises the integrity of the LFA.
He concluded by calling on the Executive Committee members to reconsider Crayton’s appointment to foster the development of football in Liberia and uphold the sport’s integrity.
