Danesius Marteh, archi32024@gmail.com
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has cleared Liberia Football Association (LFA) executive committee member Jlateh Sayor to testify as a witness in the appeal filed by Jubilee FC against their relegation to the third division by the LFA on 23 October.
In an October 21 communication to Atty. Joseph Howe, who is representing Jubilee, and LFA legal affairs manager Benedict Yarsiah (Cllr.), CAS counsel Delphine Deschenaux-Rochat said only Cllr. Sayor will be heard as witness.
On October 20, CAS rejected LFA secretary-general Emmett Crayton, club licensing manager Joel Freeman, who is also competitions manager, and Momo Kparteh of the Liberian Business Registry as witnesses.
Cllr. Yarsiah’s request for a reconsideration of four witnesses for the LFA was rejected.
Atty. Howe, Cllr. Jimmy Bombo and Jubilee President James Nimene will testify as witnesses for Jubilee.
LFA blackmailing CAS?
The LFA has been engaged in conspiracy theory, including accusing CAS of giving Jubilee preferential treatment and bending the rules of engagement.
On 1 September, the LFA questioned whether Jubilee paid the full amount to register its case in keeping with Article R64.2(3) of the Code of Sports-related arbitration and also requested proof of payment.
On 2 September, Delphine confirmed that the advance of cost, including a court filing fee of 1,000 Swiss Franc (US$1,251.15), was credited to CAS bank account by Jubilee on 26 August.
On 3 September, CAS director-general Matthieu Reeb categorically rejected and disputed an inappropriate allegation from the LFA that it was showing “sympathy and breach of transparency and integrity” towards Jubilee.
In a scathing rebuke, Reeb labeled the allegation as wholly unfounded, professionally inappropriate.
“The allegations of compromised proceedings, lack of integrity and suggestions that evidence is being hidden are entirely without merit and represent a serious departure from the professional standards expected in international arbitration.
“CAS will not engage further with unfounded allegations that question the integrity of CAS procedures or personnel.
“The proceedings will continue in accordance with the code. The parties are now asked to abide by the directions given by the court and later by the arbitral panel,” said Reeb.
The LFA relegated Jubilee on 14 April for a failure to comply with disciplinary sanctions, including the payment of US$10,000.
It is this sanction that Jubilee is contesting at CAS with the LFA refusing to pay its portion of the arbitral fee.
The LFA will be legally obligated to refund the cost incurred by Jubilee if the relegation is reversed as was the case in August 2017 when CAS overturned a congressional decision to expel then executive committee member Rochelle Woodson in December 2016.
CAS asked the LFA to refund Woodson’s legal fees and paid her honorariums, amenities and benefits from the time of her expulsion to the ruling of the case.
LFA President Mustapha Raji, acting as LISCR FC President, proposed Rochelle’s expulsion for AWOL (absent without leave) with 35 of the 50 delegates voting for his proposal at the 21st ordinary congress at PA ribhouse in Monrovia.
But Woodson contended that she was duly given maternity leave, which CAS confirmed.
