Africa-Press – Liberia. Rep. Benson revealed that his office spent over L$1.4 million last season supporting District 17’s football team, with no financial support or accounting from the LFA.
Representative Bernard Blue Benson Jr. (Montserrado County District 17) has called for the immediate suspension of the Liberia Football Association’s (LFA) Montserrado District League, citing a lack of financial transparency and an unfair financial burden placed on lawmakers.
Rep. Benson revealed that his office spent over L$1.4 million last season supporting District 17’s football team, with no financial support or accounting from the LFA.
In a video posted on social media, Benson questioned why the LFA hosts the tournament for districts to compete for a trophy but places the entire financial responsibility on lawmakers while collecting revenue from ticket sales and other sources.
“The LFA hosts a tournament for all the districts to play for a trophy, but puts the full financial responsibility on lawmakers while collecting revenue from these games,” Benson said.
The Montserrado District League, aimed at promoting grassroots football across the county, involves teams from multiple electoral districts. However, Benson described the tournament as a “financial trap” for lawmakers, who cover all costs including player preparation, transport, uniforms, and feeding.
“Every time I attended a game, I spent no less than sixty U.S. dollars just for the people behind me to get in and support our team,” he stated. “Now tell me where is all that LFA money going?”
Benson said the Montserrado County Legislative Caucus is prepared to suspend the District League unless the LFA provides a detailed account of the income generated from the tournament.
“We’re going to invite the LFA President to appear and explain what they’re doing with the money,” Benson said. “This is not sustainable. Lawmakers pay for jerseys, food, buses, yet the LFA collects all the money. How does that make sense?”
When contacted, LFA First Vice President Sekou Konneh, currently in South Korea, declined to comment and referred inquiries to Acting President and Second Vice President Adolphus Dolo.
Dolo distanced the LFA from any responsibility for lawmakers’ funding of district teams.
“I am not sure if the LFA told him or any lawmaker to sponsor a team,” Dolo said. “Whoever chooses to support a team in their district, that is their personal decision. If someone gives you money, then you account for it to that person. So I’m not sure what he’s talking about, and I cannot comment.”
The LFA’s response indicates that support for district teams by lawmakers is voluntary and outside the association’s mandate.
The controversy has sparked widespread discussion on social media, with many calling for greater accountability from the LFA. Local coaches and community members have echoed Benson’s concerns, arguing that the LFA’s revenues should be reinvested into grassroots football development.
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