Africa-Press – Liberia. The Liberia Football Association (LFA) has strongly rejected reports suggesting that its General Secretary, Atty. Emmett Crayton, is being quietly ushered out ahead of the April 2026 Elective Congress, describing the claims as politically motivated and misleading.
The rebuttal comes in the wake of revelations from internal sources indicating that LFA President Mustapha Raji was allegedly preparing to replace Crayton with one of his close allies either Joel Freeman or Mohammed Sheriff, in what observers viewed as an early power play ahead of next year’s elections.
But reacting to the publication from Supreme TV Online, LFA Media Manager Anthony Kokoi dismissed the claims as part of a calculated attempt to create confusion within the football house.
“Those guys are using diversionary tactics,” Kokoi said, suggesting that the rumors were engineered to distract from the association’s ongoing programs.
“No Plans by the President to Dismiss the GS”
Kokoi clarified that there is no decision, no discussion, and no plan to remove Crayton from his position.
“There are currently no plans by the President to dismiss the General Secretary,” he emphasized.
While acknowledging that the President through a formal proposal to the Executive Committee holds the constitutional authority to initiate such a change, Kokoi stressed that the administration is not considering any such action at this time.
“Even if the President has issues with the GS, such a decision can’t be taken now,” he said.
Crayton Still Fully in Charge
According to the LFA, Crayton remains active and continues to execute the responsibilities of his office without interruption.
“The General Secretary continues to carry out his duties,” Kokoi noted, dismissing assertions of strained relations or internal conflict.
“There has been no disagreement that will result in such a decision at about this time.”
Rumors Seen as Part of Election Fever
Kokoi suggested that the wave of speculation is typical of pre-election maneuvering within large organizations.
“Rumors or speculation regarding leadership changes are obvious during political periods in the organizational landscape,” he added.
He cautioned stakeholders and the public to avoid falling prey to political narratives designed to heighten tension as the FA approaches one of its most competitive election cycles.
Background: Claims of a Looming Power Shift
The denial follows social media earlier reporting which cited multiple credible insiders claiming that President Raji was quietly engineering Crayton’s removal, a move believed to be tied to consolidating internal control ahead of the 2026 congress.
Sources alleged that, Crayton’s relationship with the President had grown strained;The Secretariat needed “realignment” before the election season;
Two close allies of the President Joel Freeman and Mohammed Sheriff — were being considered as replacements.
Stakeholders had expressed mixed reactions, with some warning that replacing the GS at such a sensitive time could further politicize the football association.
For Now, the LFA Says Stability Remains Its Priority
With the LFA’s response now on record, the leadership is attempting to project stability and distance itself from political noise as preparations intensify for the April 2026 congress.
However, given the historic undercurrents of election-year maneuvering inside the FA, observers say the rumor mill is unlikely to quiet any time soon.
FrontPage Africa will continue to monitor developments at the LFA as the story unfolds.
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