The Liberia Football Association (LFA) Appeals Committee has overturned the one-year suspension of Grace Hawa Weah, President of Upper Women’s Division Side Determined Girls Football Club, after a formal appeal was filed challenging the decision.
Weah had been suspended by the LFA Grievance and Disciplinary Committee (GDC) on February 12, 2025, after being found guilty of making false and misleading public statements about the LFA’s awards voting process. The GDC, citing Chapter 4, Article 8(b) of the LFA Disciplinary Code, initially imposed a 12-month suspension but waived a previously recommended fine of L$50,000.
Although Weah promptly issued both written and public apologies, stating that her comments were due to a misunderstanding of the voting procedures, the GDC proceeded with the suspension, prompting her to seek redress through the LFA’s Appeals Committee.
Following a thorough review of the case, the Appeals Committee acknowledged that while the GDC’s ruling followed the appropriate procedures, the one-year suspension was disproportionate given the mitigating circumstances. As a result, the Appeals Committee lifted the suspension and imposed revised penalties.
Under the new ruling, Weah is required to pay a fine of L$150,000 within 30 days. Additionally, she must submit a formal written apology to the LFA leadership and publish the same apology in three national newspapers—Front Page Africa, The Inquirer, and Hot Pepper Newspaper—by June 15, 2025. Verified copies of the publications are to be submitted to the LFA Secretariat within five days after publication.
In an interview following the ruling, Weah expressed satisfaction with the outcome and pledged to comply fully with the Committee’s directives.
“I respect the judgment of the Appeals Committee and accept their decision in full,” she said. “I remain committed to contributing positively to the development of women’s football in Liberia.”
The Appeals Committee cited Weah’s status as a first-time offender, her cooperation during the process, and her willingness to acknowledge and correct the mistake as key factors in its decision to revise the punishment.
This case has been widely seen as a test of the LFA’s disciplinary framework, and its outcome reinforces the association’s commitment to accountability, fairness, and reform in Liberian football governance.
