Published: March 27, 2026
MONROVIA — The Campaign Coordinating Committee of the Collaborating Football Stakeholders has formally notified FIFA of its decision to file a legal petition in a Liberian civil court challenging the upcoming Liberia Football Association (LFA) elections.
The move follows a letter published on the LFA’s official Facebook page and comes as FC Fassell President Cassell Kuoh seeks an injunction to halt the elections scheduled for April 18, 2026. Kuoh’s petition also requests a declaratory judgment to ensure the LFA’s electoral guidelines comply with the association’s statutes, the Liberian Constitution, and national law.
In a March 22, 2026, letter to the LFA, FIFA Chief Member Associations Officer Elkhan Mammadov said that while FIFA respects national courts, football-related disputes must be resolved within the sport’s established legal framework. The letter warned that taking election disputes to ordinary courts could trigger sanctions, including the possible suspension of the LFA.
Despite the warning, leaders of the Collaborating Football Stakeholders defended their decision to pursue legal action. In a March 24 communication to FIFA, campaign manager Emmett Glassco said the petition is intended to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.
“Our petition seeks to ensure that the LFA electoral guidelines are in strict horizontal and vertical alignment with the LFA statutes, the Constitution, and laws of the Republic of Liberia,” Glassco said.
Glassco added that while the group respects FIFA’s principle of noninterference, it also recognizes the importance of upholding the rule of law in sovereign states.
“Our recourse to the civil court is an effort to safeguard the integrity, transparency, and inclusivity of the electoral process — values that we know FIFA holds in the highest regard,” he said.
The committee reiterated its commitment to football development in Liberia, arguing that a legally sound electoral process is essential to the sport’s long-term stability.
“We thank you for your attention to this matter and remain available should you require further documentation regarding the court’s decree,” Glassco said.
The dispute highlights ongoing tensions between FIFA’s insistence on autonomy in football governance and the authority of national legal systems. With the April 18 congress approaching, the outcome of the petition could determine whether Liberia’s elections proceed as scheduled or face delays that risk international sanctions.
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