The Liberia Football Association (LFA) has written Fifa to withdraw the nominations of Musa Hassan Bility and Musa Himmie Shannon from representing Liberia at the 68th Fifa congress in Moscow, Russia on June 13.
LFA acting President Sekou Konneh told ECOWAS Radio 91.5 FM that the executive committee wrote because Bility and Shannon are former president and vice president, who have lost their legitimacies to represent Liberia respectively.
Bility and Shannon’s tenures ended, in keeping with the 2017 revised LFA statutes, on March 27.
In an email to Fifa secretary-general Fatma Samoura, Konneh said: “I write, on behalf of the newly elected executive committee of the Liberia Football Association, to request the withdrawal of two of our three representatives to the Fifa congress scheduled to be held in Moscow, Russia.
“They are: Mr. Musa Hassan Bility, former president and Mr. Musa Shannon former first vice president. This decision follows the elections of new corps of officers for the next four years.”
In the May 27 email, Konneh replaced the former executives with Wilmot Smith, vice president for operations and executive committee member Beatrice Mamie Kpoto.
It was more than a manifestation of the stakeholders’ authority vested in their elected representatives as Konneh, who has locally accepted the title of “acting president” formally introduced himself to Fifa.
“Definitely that decision was reached yesterday and the communication has been sent to Fifa. So we look forward to a positive response from them,” said Konneh in an exclusive interview with ECOWAS Radio’s Sports Extra program on May 25.
Bility and Shannon have been desperate in their frivolous and illegal attempts to represent Liberia.
On the eve of the West African Football Union (Wafu) under-20 Nations Cup final between hosts Liberia and Gambia, Bility told me he didn’t need Liberia to attend the World Cup.
“You are idiot, who don’t deserved to be a journalist. You can say or write whatever you want. Maybe, you don’t know that I don’t need Liberia to be in Russia. I am a member of Caf executive committee. I am a member of CAF emergency committee.
“I am also chairman of the Chan Nations Cup committee. I don’t need to be LFA president to be in Russia. Infact, I am a successful businessman, who can pay my own damn f..k..g. way to Russia. But I will decide who goes to Russia in the name of the LFA,” said a furious Bility at the Boulevard Palace in Sinkor.
Shannon, in a clear attempt to manifest his desperation, accused the Liberian government of interfering with the April 14 elections at the Samuel Kanyon Doe sports complex in an April 18 letter to Fifa while presidential candidate George Solo prayed for a writ of injunction, which halted the run-off between Shannon and LISCR FC President Mustapha Raji.
In a May 1 text message responding to an inquiry about his legitimacy, Shannon said: “I have always served at the will and pleasure of the president and I will continue to serve until the election impasse is resolved for the good of the game.
“Fifa has told us to stop everything until they [can] investigate the allegation and make a recommendation. Mr. Bility is still the president and we [can] only answer to Fifa. Thanks.”
Bility, who didn’t seek reelection, was quoted by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) on May 24 announcing a support for the joint 2026 World Cup bid from America, Canada and Mexico against Morocco.
Two-hundred eleven (211) members will decide who will host the first 48-team World Cup.
He said the decision came after talks with President George Weah and the Liberian government.
When asked why Bility is still speaking on behalf of the LFA, Konneh said:
“Well, you should ask Mr. Bility that question. We respect him as a former leader of the LFA. He’s an institutional memory. And I think Mr. Bility has been cooperative.”
Before the withdrawal was sent to Fifa, sports minister Zeogar Wilson believes the duo’s nominations should be withdrawn.
“It is my understanding that the list for those to participate into the congress of Fifa was submitted a long time ago. So at the time it was submitted, I believe, they were still holding their positions. So I can’t equate that to the elections.
“In my view, even if someone’s name was submitted [to Fifa] and that person is no longer an official of the LFA, that name should be withdrawn effective immediately. It should be done,” Wilson told ECOWAS Radio’s Sports Extra program on May 21.
An upset Bility, according to privy sources, has told LFA secretary-general Emmanuel Deah not to work with the Konneh-led executive committee.
Could this mean that fire is finally in Soweto?