29/06/2026
LFA CRACKS DOWN ON MATCH-FIXING: Three Football Officials Banned for Five Years as Disciplinary Committee Delivers Tough Verdict
June 29,2026
MONROVIA, Liberia – The Liberia Football Association (LFA) has delivered one of its strongest disciplinary actions in recent years, imposing five-year suspensions on three football officials after concluding that a National County Sports Meet fixture between Margibi County and Grand Kru County was manipulated.
In a media release issued on June 29, 2026, the LFA's Grievance and Disciplinary Committee (GDC) announced that its investigation into allegations of match-fixing and bribery during the 2025/2026 National County Sports Meet found sufficient evidence that the match had been manipulated, in violation of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.
Following what the committee described as a careful review of the evidence, the following officials have been suspended from all football-related activities for five years:
Tony Walker – Chairman, Margibi County Steering Committee
Emmanuel Kehkeh – Head Coach, Grand Kru County
S. Warmann Yeafapolee – Head Coach, Margibi County
The LFA stated that the sanctions were imposed under the relevant provisions of the FIFA Disciplinary Code and took effect from the date the individuals were first suspended.
In a separate ruling, the committee immediately lifted the suspension of James P. Gbah, concluding that he was wrongly implicated and is no longer under investigation in connection with the alleged match manipulation.
The Grievance and Disciplinary Committee also ruled on an appeal involving Tebeh FC and Theo United FC, reversing an earlier disciplinary decision after determining that the original sanction resulted from a case of mistaken identity.
According to the LFA, the appeal centered on identifying the player who committed an act of dissent during a June 13, 2026, match against Soul Clinic Athletic at the SKD Practice Pitch.
The decisions underscore the Liberia Football Association's commitment to protecting the integrity of football by holding individuals accountable for misconduct while correcting disciplinary errors where necessary.
