By Philipbert Semogai Jabba-Wleh Browne
Football in Liberia was introduced in the early 1900s during the colonial era, largely through missionary schools and expatriate communities. It quickly took root as a unifying pastime, and by the 1930s informal clubs were forming in Monrovia.
The sport gained formal structure in 1936 with the founding of the Liberia Football Association (LFA), which became affiliated with FIFA in 1964 and the Confederation of African Football in 1965.
Over the decades, football grew into Liberia’s most popular sport, producing legends like George Weah — the 1995 FIFA World Player of the Year and current national icon.
Despite years of civil conflict that disrupted leagues and infrastructure, the game remained a source of hope and national pride.
The LFA has since worked to rebuild grassroots programs, national teams, and club competitions, though governance disputes have periodically overshadowed progress on the pitch. That tension between football and governance has now spilled into the courtroom.
The current LFA presidential race intensified when a Contempt of Court citation against candidate Anthony Cassell Kuoh was leaked on social media before it was officially served.
The document’s premature circulation raised concerns about due process and whether the leak was intended to damage Kuoh’s campaign.
During a tense hearing at the Civil Law Court, LFA lawyer Atty. Benedict Yarsiah was pressed by Judge Peter Gbeneweleh to identify who leaked the document.
Atty. Yarsiah traced its path, from receptionist to HR, Manager to General Secretary before reaching him on April 3rd — but said it was already “trending” online by then. Unable to name a suspect, he appealed to the court’s mercy.
Calling the incident “embarrassing and unfortunate,” Yarsiah insisted the LFA did not post the document on official platforms but admitted the leak harmed both the court’s reputation and Mr. Kuoh. Leaking court papers is treated as Contempt of Court, a serious offense that can undermine judicial credibility and prejudice a party’s rights. With the LFA presidency at stake, the judge’s pending ruling could carry heavy consequences — from fines against the LFA to possible sanctions for Yarsiah. As Liberian football fans await the decision, the episode underscores how off-field battles are now shaping the future of the sport in the country.
