A group under the banner, ‘Citizens United for the Promotion and Development of Soccer’ has taken the president of the Liberia Football Association (LFA) to task and has called on the football boss to relinquish the position.
In a statement released Monday, March 11, 2024, the group averred that the LFA boss lacks the leadership ability and as such, sitting at the helm of the country’s footballing house will kill the game.
“Folks, Raji must go if our LFA and footballers’ lives should be improved. Our intelligent bureau has informed us currently that with Raji still presiding over our Liberia Football Association, FIFA and CAF will have no intention in supporting and developing our footballers’ lives. This in itself has the propensity to derail the standards of football in our country. We further want to inform you, fellow Liberians and distinguished members of the fourth estate, it may interest you to note that Liberia as a country is yet to participate in the World cup or African Cup of Nations, only because a man who is presiding over the LFA doesn’t have love and affection for our country. This Nigerian by nationality must go.”
“We very are cognizant that he doesn’t have love for our country, no nationalistic Liberians will not see the national team go down the drain, especially with a citizen who should be a compatriot and head of football in our country. The circumstances with Mustapha Raji at the LFA are ugly for our young talented boys and girls, as his intent is personal and self-seeking and it’s time that this man must leave the LFA; we need to develop and promote our footballers,” the group said.
The group also decried the recent appointment of the new coach of the national soccer squad, the Lone Star, stating that the appointment was greatly influenced by the LFA president due to personal interest.
“Liberians must stand tall to regain our importance and sanity as a country amongst other African nations who are always participating in the African Cup and the World Cup, and this can only be achieved when Raji leaves and vacates the FA, and this time must be now.”
“As sports lovers based in Liberia, we will flag the ill performances of this LFA boss, our leagues need to be standardized, and Raji’s conflict of interest with sponsorship with our various leagues is something we have gotten evidence, with his regular kickbacks. Raji is the head of IT at Orange-Liberia, and we know that his hands are on deck into all financial arrangements.”
Meanwhile, when contacted, the LFA, through its Director of Communications, Danesius Marteh, trashed the group’s call for the resignation of the LFA boss, stating that anyone who wants him out should wait for the ballot box in 2026.
“So, resignation is an option and not a law. President Raji was elected for four years, which ends in April 2026. Any grievance should be channeled through the ballot box when the LFA goes to the elections,” said Marteh, who spoke to the media.
