The Liberia Football Association (LFA) finds itself in trouble as increasing pressure surrounding the association’s improper spending of almost 1.8 million in government support for national team activities continues to spread amidst the LFA corruption scandal and subsequent investigations by the Liberian Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC).

Calls for Transparency Spark Investigation

Only four months ago, a formal petition was filed for a forensic audit against the LFA and the government by the Student Unification Party (SUP) of the University of Liberia, who sought to bring to light any potential corruption or transparency issues regarding the funds used over the years from the Government of Liberia, local sponsors, FIFA, and CAF. Their request came at a strategic time, and with a nation still reeling from devastating economic downfalls, any request to see where public funds had gone was justified.

Where the Money Went: A Timeline of Payments Made

The following are two major payments that sparked the controversy:

• $658,550—2022
• $1,160,016—2023

The intended purpose was for operational and construction needs for LFA’s new headquarters. The investigation from the LACC revealed that these payments happened without a documentation or public accountability.

LFA’s Reaction and Controversial Finding

On May 28, 2025, the LFA released a statement that they voluntarily and through compliance cooperated with the investigation and had informed third parties FIFA and CAF.

Yet Deputy Secretary General Mohammed Sheriff went to social media to suggest that the audit was fake. Shortly thereafter, however, LACC Special Assistant Vivian Akoto told Prime FM that an actual audit was underway and it was coming from Chairperson Cllr. Alexandra Zoe.

The New Headquarters Scandal

The audit relates to the new three-story LFA headquarters just completed on Samuel Kanyon Doe Boulevard. However, LFA officials state that the building is a new venture funded from FIFA solely through FIFA’s “FIFA Forward” program, costing $1.5 million.

Yet this is contested by prior Secretary General Isaac T.Z. Montgomery, who states that the true cost of the new headquarters is $1.819 million, consistent with KFA Consults 2023 auditing. This excess, he claims, comes from $319,045 assessed from a pandemic relief loan obtained from Guaranty Trust Bank (GT Bank).

A Risky Financial Move

If accurate, then using loan money to satisfy the FIFA project would be in violation of LFA’s internal financial projections and FIFA’s fraud guidelines. Montgomery claims loan repayment is due from January 2023 through January 2026. This calls into question whether the LFA is in such a precarious financial state that relying on payments from FIFA over time to pay off a loan equals bankruptcy.

What Is FIFA Forward?

FIFA Forward is designed to provide direct cash infusions to national federations for facilities and development, not cash loan repayments. The goal is to achieve a quasi-financial stability and appropriate governance. Thus, to say that the LFA took this money and paid a loan back to a third party is contrary to the intention of this programming and causes international scandal.

Public Perception Is Compromised

LFA president Mustapha Raji held a press conference on May 21 and noted that any audit is welcome “even up to 20 USD”. Whether or not the public embraces Raji’s gesture of good faith, such a move that compromises the status quo fails to foster good relations, as the internal and external public face of the association does not align.

For many Liberians, this scandal touches more than finances. Football is a source of unity and pride, and the notion that funds meant for the national game were misused hits deeply.

LACC’s New Powers

The LACC was reactivated in July 2022 with new powers and a new mandate. It no longer solely investigates political corruption as its focal charge has been expanded to include investigations of civil society, business, and sports. This will be the ultimate investigation of its investigatory and accountability powers.

How Long Before There Are Answers?

No expected timeline has been released. However, students, civil society, football fans, and stakeholders are applying pressure at all ends. The news is under a microscope by FIFA, CAF, and international anti-corruption institutions.

Should the LFA be found guilty of misconduct, potential consequences include:

• Suspension from FIFA and CAF funding
• Legal action against individuals
• Permanent damage to Liberia’s football credibility

A Game-Changer for Football Governance?

The LFA corruption scandal represents much more than financial mismanagement; it represents an opportunity for transparency where it is still needed in public institutions in Liberia. If governance in the country is at stake, the findings from this investigation could set the tone for how football governance is conducted in Liberia going forward.