MONROVIA – Former Club Presidents Association of Liberia (CPAL) president Christian Weah Sr. has issued a stern warning to the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MYS) against any “political compromise” in the ongoing Liberia Football Association (LFA) electoral dispute.
By: Christopher C. Walker | 0777898224 / 0886723075 | christopherc.walker@frontpageafricaonline.com
His comments followed a high-stakes meeting held Tuesday between the Ministry, LFA leadership, and the “Team Cassell” camp.
The meeting was convened amid rising tensions over the April 18 elections, which currently face a legal impasse regarding the eligibility of presidential hopeful Cassell Anthony Kuoh.
Statutes Remain Non-Negotiable
Weah, an aspirant for the LFA Executive Committee, maintains that the association’s statutes are sacrosanct and cannot be bypassed for political convenience.
He warned that any attempt to accommodate Kuoh outside the established legal framework would set a “dangerous precedent” and risk triggering FIFA’s strict sanctions regarding third-party interference.
“Our statutes clearly state that any individual convicted of a criminal offense is ineligible to participate in LFA elections,” Weah stated prior to the meeting. “This is not a matter of interpretation or a diplomatic waiver. You cannot ‘dialogue’ away a criminal conviction record.”
Deadlock After Separate Sessions
The Ministry convened separate sessions on Tuesday, meeting first with the LFA at 10:00 AM, followed by a session with Team Cassell at 12:30 PM. Despite the dialogue, no definitive resolution was reached, leaving the status of the April 18 elections in limbo.
Deputy Minister for Sports G. Andy Quamie emphasized that the government’s primary objective is to “de-escalate tensions” following a court injunction that effectively froze all electoral activities.
A Brewing Constitutional Showdown
The crisis centers on Kuoh’s 2017 conviction in the United States for conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
While Kuoh’s legal team is currently seeking a Supreme Court review of the eligibility rules, Weah and other key stakeholders are demanding strict adherence to the LFA’s governing documents.
“We will not sit idly by and watch the foundation of our association be traded for political expediency,” Weah said following the Tuesday sessions.
“The Ministry must act as a neutral arbiter, not an architect of illegal compromises.”
With no consensus reached on Tuesday, Liberia’s football community remains in a state of uncertainty. Stakeholders and fans alike are now awaiting further clarity on the rules that will ultimately govern the future leadership of the LFA.
