Africa-Press – Liberia. Stakeholders say this congested scheduling leaves players with little time for rest and recovery, running contrary to FIFA’s recommended minimum of 72 hours between competitive matches.
Concerns are mounting among clubs, players, and football stakeholders over the scheduling of fixtures in the ongoing Liberia Football Association (LFA) First Division League, with several teams complaining about the tight turnaround between matches, a situation critics say undermines player welfare and violates international football standards.
According to the official fixture list, Blackman Warriors are set to face Gardnerville FC on October 30 in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, before returning to Monrovia barely 24 hours later to play Discoveries SA at the Tusa Field on November 1.
Similarly, Paynesville FC are scheduled to take on Watanga FC on October 30 at the Samuel Kanyon Doe (SKD) Sports Complex, and then play again on November 1, at the same venue against Downtown FC.
Stakeholders say this congested scheduling leaves players with little time for rest and recovery, running contrary to FIFA’s recommended minimum of 72 hours between competitive matches.
“Such scheduling is not in line with international best practices,” one football stakeholder told FrontPage Africa. “It exposes players to fatigue, increases the risk of injuries, and lowers the overall quality of football we expect from our top division.”
The situation appears even more challenging later in the month, as teams are also expected to play on November 20, 24, and 28 each fixture only four days apart. Coaches and club executives argue that this not only affects performance but also places additional financial strain on teams already struggling with limited resources.
“With no major sponsor backing the competition, most clubs are already stretched financially,” a club representative noted. “Being asked to travel and play multiple games in a matter of days is not only unfair but also unsustainable.”
The lack of sponsorship has forced clubs to absorb operational costs such as transportation, accommodation, and player care expenses that pile up quickly under a congested fixture list.
Stakeholders are now calling on the Liberia Football Association (LFA) to review and revise the league calendar in line with international standards. They argue that fair scheduling is critical to protecting players’ health, ensuring competitive balance, and maintaining the integrity of the league.
Observers warn that failure to address these issues could undermine the credibility of Liberia’s top-flight competition and erode confidence in the LFA’s organizational capacity.
As of press time, the LFA had not issued any official response to the growing concerns, but pressure continues to mount from clubs, coaches, and fans urging the football governing body to take immediate corrective action.
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