Africa-Press – Liberia. D. Webster Cassell, a FIFA-trained journalist and former Secretary General of the Sports Writers Association of Liberia (SWAL), has launched a scathing critique of the Liberia Football Coaches Association (LIFOCA).
Cassell described the association’s decision to indefinitely suspend Coach Nathaniel S. Sherman as “procedurally flawed, unprofessional, and lacking in due process.”
Coach Sherman, the newly appointed Deputy Technical Director of the Liberia Football Association (LFA), faced the wrath of the coaches’ body following controversial remarks on social media.
Sherman had questioned the competency of coaches holding License A and B certifications, asserting that his own License C qualification did not diminish his suitability for his new national role.
Despite a public apology from Sherman who clarified that his remarks were not intended to disparage his colleagues LIFOCA’s Executive Committee rejected the olive branch.
Following a meeting on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, the association announced it would boycott any activity involving Sherman and suspended his membership indefinitely.
A Failure of Governance
Reacting to the fallout, Cassell argued that LIFOCA bypassed fundamental disciplinary standards common to professional organizations.
“How do you suspend a member indefinitely without due process?” Cassell questioned. “Standard procedure dictates that alleged misconduct be investigated by a disciplinary body, with recommendations then forwarded to the executive or general assembly for action.
None of these fundamental steps were demonstrated here.”
The veteran journalist further rebuked the association for failing to cite specific statutory or regulatory provisions that Sherman’s remarks allegedly violated.
He noted that labeling a statement as “reckless” without anchoring it in written rules undermines the legitimacy of the sanction.
Cassell raised red flags over the lack of transparency in the decision-making process, pointing out that it remains unclear if the suspension was the result of a formal vote or a unilateral executive action.
“Authority without due process is not leadership; it is arbitrariness,” Cassell stated.
He warned that such a lack of clarity fuels perceptions that the move against the LFA Deputy Technical Director was driven by sentiment or internal politics rather than professional governance.
The Dangers of Escalation
While acknowledging the controversial nature of Sherman’s comments, the former SWAL SG maintained that the coach’s apology should have served as a basis for reconciliation.
By rejecting the apology, Cassell argued, LIFOCA is discouraging accountability and dialogue within the coaching fraternity.
Observers have also joined the fray, accusing LIFOCA leadership of being quick to penalize its own members while remaining silent when coaches face external harassment or professional marginalization.
Cassell warned that these procedural gaps leave LIFOCA vulnerable to legal challenges should Sherman seek redress under Liberian law.
As tension mounts within the football community, pressure is building on LIFOCA to revisit the suspension, clarify its disciplinary framework, and adhere to the rule-based governance expected of a FIFA-affiliated ecosystem.
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