Monrovia-The Ministry of Youth and Sports (MYS) said it has taken management rights of the Antoinette Tubman Stadium (ATS) and the Liberia National Soccer Team from the Liberia Football Association (LFA).
The Ministry said in a statement released at the weekend that it will take control of the ATS and the Lone Star pending the conclusion of the LFA elections.
The decision according to the statement was reached on Wednesday, June 20, 2018 after a meeting with LFA’s Vice President for Administration, Sekou Konneh .
The ministry claims that series of factors including the slow-pace at which the LFA is conducting the affairs of the national teams resulting to the ministry canceling the participation of the Under 17 (U-17) National Team from a major competition.
The question now -was there budget for them to participate in the competition and they did not?
The Ministry is also pointing to recent delays in the adequate organization of the WAFU Tournament which the tournament meet a newly election LFA executive members and an injunction election – and the under -23 Team, was there an U-23 team in Liberia .
At the same time, the Ministry’s action comes in the wake of the poor management of the Antoinette Tubman stadium and the failure of the football house to submit detailed plans ahead of the national team engagements in international competitions in September, as per the Ministry’s request.
Youth and Sports Minister, D. Zeogar Wilson in a letter to the LFA president Musa Bility also identified the filthiness of the Antoinette Tubman Stadium , which contravenes international regulations regarding the management of sports facilities among others things pertaining to the national teams as of actions that led to this latest decision.
. At same time Minister Wilson assured the football administration and the public that the ongoing collaboration currently being worked out between the Ministry and the Liberia football Association will continue for the good of football in Liberia .
Meanwhile FIFA frowns on government intervention in football in all country , this could lead to sanction by FIFA .
