LFA Goes Bankrupt!
-Seeks Loan From Eco-Bank  

By Roland M. Mulbah

What seems a frustration in Liberian football has come to the fore with the Liberia Football Association (LFA) now seeking loan from Eco-Bank Liberia Limited in an attempt to continue the 2009 national league after its entire account went to zero due to the stealing of more than US$53, 000 by its Treasurer, Nimley J. Toe who appeared in court a month ago.

The LFA, which mainly depends on gate intakes and other registrations to host its national league, is probably not being able to carry on the league with such minute amount, but had over the years depended on the annual grant from the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) to carry on the league and run the activities of football in the tiny West African Country that is on record for producing the first African as World and European best in the form of King George Oppong Manneh Weah.

The dubious deal of stealing the said amount from the LFA account has been described in many quarters as an organized crime which does not involve just a single person, most especially the easy going Treasurer, Toe.

It is believed that some other members of the secretariat might be involved in the transaction that has caused embarrassment not only for the Cllr. Sombo Izetta Wesley administration, but football in Liberia since in fact employees of the LFA will wait to see if Eco-bank grants the loan before they get their salaries.

 Our examination has also allegedly linked LFA president, Cllr. Sombo Izetta Wesley, former Secretary General George Wah. Williams, who resigned without giving any justifiable reason and acting Secretary General Sam Laco Polay Bedford to the stealing of the more than US$53,000 from the LFA account.

According to reports, Treasurer Toe usually writes the figures in numbers and words on checks proposed for withdrawal, leaving spaces before the lines which he later adds other figures after the signing of the checks by authorities responsible for the signing probably LFA president Cllr. Sombo Izetta Wesley, the then Secretary General Mr. George Wah Williams or the acting secretary General Sam Laco Polay Bedford.

The reports further say Mr. Toe has been doing the dubious act for a protected period since taking over as Treasurer of the local football house after the resignation of former Treasurer Joseph Koon and there are reports that the soft spoken LFA Treasurer has already built himself a beautiful house and purchased several vehicles for the purpose of business. 

 His dubious act has caused the LFA in complete disarray financially with reports indicating that employees are yet to be paid due to the sealing of the amount.

The LFA is now seeking loan from Eco-Bank in order to carry on the national league and pay its employees.

Pundits believe the stealing of the US$53, 000 is a big minus to Cllr. Sombo Izetta Wesley’s quest of contesting the LFA presidency in March 2010.

 The Iron Lady, as she is widely called in Liberian football circle has been criticized by keen observers of Liberian football for the down ward tendency of football in Liberia since she took the mantle of authority of Liberian football.

The question now on the lips of many followers of football in Liberia is: Will Eco-Bank grant LFA loan? Or will the 2009 national league end since the registration and gate intakes are insufficient? We wait to see.