Margibi Chairman, Two Coaches Banned for Five Years in County Meet Manipulation Case

Published: July 1, 2026

MONROVIA – The Liberia Football Association Grievance and Disciplinary Committee has suspended three football officials for five years after concluding that a 2025-2026  National County Sports Meet quarterfinal match between Margibi and Grand Kru counties was manipulated.

Following an investigation that included video footage and other evidence, the committee found that the Jan. 11 match was manipulated in violation of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.

The officials sanctioned are:Tony Walker, chairman of the Margibi Steering Committee, Emmanuel Kehkeh, head coach of Grand Kru County and  Warman Yeafahpoe, head coach of Margibi County.

The three are suspended from all football-related activities for five years, effective from the date of their provisional suspensions.

The committee also lifted the suspension of James P. Gbah, clearing him of any further investigation.

The sanctions stem from a public confession by Gbah, who told a Kakata radio station that he and several teammates accepted $300 from Grand Kru officials to intentionally play to a scoreless draw. 

The result allowed both teams to advance to the semifinals while eliminating Grand Bassa and Montserrado.

According to Gbah who was also Margibi Captain during the 2025-2026 National County Sports Meet, Walker and Coach Warman Yeafahpoe arranged a meeting with Grand Kru officials, during which the payment was made.

The LFA had provisionally suspended the three officials on Jan. 16 after announcing that preliminary findings indicated “irregularities may have influenced the outcome” of the match.

In a separate ruling, the GDC overturned an earlier disciplinary decision involving Tebeh FC after reviewing independent video evidence.

The committee determined that Bedellson Bedell, wearing jersey No. 20, committed an act of dissent during Tebeh FC’s match against Soul Clinic Athletic, not William Kilima, who wore jersey No. 2.

The committee said the mistaken identity resulted from incorrect information provided by assistant referee Vamadum Sheriff to the match referee. As a result, the previous disciplinary ruling was reversed, although Tebeh FC’s 5-0 victory over Theo United FC remains in effect.

As disciplinary action, assistant referee Vamadum Sheriff has been suspended from officiating for the remainder of the 2025-26 Montserrado County Sub-Association playoffs and the national playoffs.