In a bid to address concerns from local match commissioners about their absence from international competitions, Mustapha Raji, President of the Liberia Football Association (LFA), has called for calm and perseverance. Speaking at a dynamic refresher workshop on August 14, 2024, Raji shed light on the challenges and opportunities facing Liberian match officials in securing spots on the global stage.
The workshop, held at Monrovia’s Antoinette Tubman Stadium, saw Raji urging match commissioners to stay patient as FIFA and CAF manage a limited number of international officiating slots. Despite their qualifications and eagerness, local officials face stiff competition and a constrained number of available positions.
“There’s a genuine enthusiasm and readiness among our match commissioners to step onto the international stage,” Raji acknowledged. “However, FIFA and CAF currently offer only four slots for Liberian officials – two men and two women. Our existing representatives have been performing admirably, and that’s reflected in the feedback we receive from these bodies.”
Liberia’s international representatives include 1st Vice President Sekou Konneh, Executive Committee member Alvin Browne, 3rd Vice President Jodie Reid-Seton, and former Executive Committee member D. Sheba Brown. Raji expressed optimism that future expansions in these slots might offer more opportunities for Liberian officials.
In the meantime, Raji emphasized the importance of the ongoing refresher workshop, noting that only those who participate will be eligible for selection in the upcoming 2024/25 Orange National League. “Attendance at these refresher sessions is crucial,” he said. “To ensure that our match commissioners are at the top of their game, only those present here today will be considered for league assignments, barring any valid exceptions approved by the Commissioner General.”
The two-day workshop is designed to boost the skills of match commissioners, covering essential topics like Coordination Meetings, CMS Operations (including match day duties and reporting), Laws of the Game, and Competition Regulations. The sessions are led by LFA Commissioner General Izetta Wesley, Competition Manager Joel Freeman, and former FIFA referee Alex Nagbo.
Raji’s message resonates with a broader goal of enhancing local football administration standards and preparing Liberian officials for future opportunities, both domestically and internationally.
