IPNews-Monrovia,Liberia-10 May 2018: Former Vice President and player of the Liberia Football Association-LFA, Musa Shannon is calling for a hut to perceived meddling into current elections activities of the LFA.
Shannon in a communication to FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura, dated April 18, 2018, which also accused some members of the House of Representatives, particularly Representative Munah Pennoh and Deputy Sports Minister Andy Quamie, highlights undue interference into the election by influencing voters to vote frontrunner Mustapha Raji, President of LISCR FC.
Musa Shannon: “In keeping with FIFA regulations which clearly states, that there should not be allow or entertain any form of external interference, especially governmental influence into matters of the LFA’s election process of any member country; I sincerely realized that the level of interference by senior government officials and members of the Legislature is a gross violation of FIFA and the LFA’s election guidelines which renders the entire election process illegal and invalidate.”
Additionally, Musa Shannon, pleaded with FIFA to carefully review the allegations presented it in the interest of fair play and transparency as enshrined in the principles of FIFA.
“I am requesting FIFA, as the sport governing body, to review the allegations in the interest of transparency and fair-play. I am more than willing to be available for further discussions on the matter and look forward to hearing from you in the near future,” Musa Shannon narrated in the communication.
It may be recalled that on April 14, 2018, LFA stakeholders when to the polls and elected Beatrice Mamie Kpoto, Quiwu Perci Yeke, Paywala Janyan, Henry Flomo, Cllr. Joseph Kollie, Julie Seton, Nyemah Nyanway, Kerlie Miller, Ivan Brown and Anthony Deinuka as executive committee members (ECMs) at the Samuel Kanyon Doe sports complex in Paynesville.
Others elected were Professor Sekou Konneh and Wilmot Smith, as vice presidents for administration and operations respectively.
For the presidential election, Raji secured 16 votes, two short of the absolute majority needed for an outright victory as prescribed by the LFA elections bylaws, while contending party Musa Shannon accumulated 13 votes.
Interestingly, former Chairman of the Congress for Democratic Change-CDC George Solo, received five votes, ordered a writ of Prohibition on further proceedings of the run-off which was expected to be taken by the two contestants with the highest votes cast Raji and Shannon.
Shannon further inform FIFA of his contention arising out of the elections as detailed in the writ of prohibition field by contestant George Solo.
Contrary to Musa Shannon’s assertions, he nominated Bishop George Harris, senior pastor, Philadelphia Church, oldest Congo Town, to the electoral committee, even though Harris has never been a member of the LFA.
Article three, section three of the 2013 LFA electoral code says: “The members of the electoral committee shall be a bonafide members of the LFA.”
Chapter 12, article 18 of the 2017 revised LFA statutes defines members as “[officials of] clubs in the first, second and female divisions; Liberia National Old-timers, Coaches, Referees, Banker Sports and Beach Soccer Associations; Sub-associations of the 15 counties and Academicals (Varsity and ISSA).”
During an executive committee meeting before the extraordinary congress on February 24, 2018, Konneh questioned the legitimacy of Musa Shannon and Bishop Harris to participate in the elections.
