Christian Weah, president of the Liberia Upper Women’s League team Stages Queens, has called on the Liberia Football Association (LFA) to reconsider the $10,000 fine imposed on Jubilee FC for submitting falsified documents during its registration process.
Weah’s appeal comes after the LFA’s club licensing department conducted an investigation and found that the club had submitted fake documents during registration.
Despite the Football Investigation Bureau (FIB) recommending a much smaller fine of $1,000, the LFA opted for the larger penalty, prompting concerns from the football community.
In a statement, Stages Queens expressed serious reservations about the financial burden that such a significant fine could place on clubs, particularly those already struggling with economic challenges. “While Jubilee FC’s actions are unacceptable and must be condemned, the size of the fine is excessive, especially given the current financial realities clubs in Liberia are facing,” the statement said. “Most clubs are struggling due to a lack of financial support, and such a fine could cripple a struggling institution.”
Weah emphasized that the LFA’s decision should be reconsidered in light of the circumstances, advocating for the FIB’s original penalty.
“This adjustment would not only reflect fairness but also demonstrate the LFA’s understanding of the financial struggles within the football community,” he said.
He further called on all stakeholders to uphold accountability and integrity within Liberian football, noting that administrative decisions must be fair and balanced.
Jubilee FC President James K. Nimene, expressed disappointment with the LFA’s ruling. Nimene reiterated that the club’s submission of inaccurate documents was due to being misled during the registration process, and once the issue was identified, the club moved quickly to correct it.
“Our club prioritizes integrity and fairness in the sport. We were misled during registration, but we took immediate action to rectify the situation once it was identified,” he stated.
Nimene reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring the club does not face undue punishment. “We will adhere to all legal provisions regarding club licensing and the FIB’s obligations to determine a fair fine in our case,” he said.
He also expressed the collective sentiment of the club, saying, “The LFA’s hasty move to penalize us without thoroughly considering the facts is incredibly disappointing and unjust.”
The LFA’s decision to impose the steep fine has stirred controversy in the Liberian football community, with many questioning the fairness of the ruling.
Stakeholders are calling for transparency, accountability, and consistency in future administrative actions, urging the LFA to take a more balanced approach in its decision-making processes.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether the LFA will reconsider its decision or stand by its controversial fine.
