Urey Denies Match-Fixing Allegations, Describes LFA Ban as Politically Driven

Benita Whitney Urey, Chief Executive Officer and President of Shaita Angels Football Club, has strongly rejected the Liberia Football Association's Grievance and Disciplinary Committee's ruling, which linked her to match fixing. She described the sanction imposed on her as "false, misleading, and politically driven."

In a statement released on Thursday, January 8, 2026, Urey said the Committee's claim that she was involved in influencing match outcomes was unsupported by evidence and rooted in speculation. She maintained that no individual has come forward to accuse her of offering money or engaging in any form of match-fixing.

“This baseless accusation is clearly intended to target me because of my open support for Cassell A. Kuoh’s presidential bid,” Urey asserted, suggesting that her political stance within football circles had made her a target of the current LFA leadership.

A ruling dated on Thursday, January 8, 2026, by the LFA Grievance and Disciplinary Committee, said that Urey and Swen were in breach of Part I, Chapter 2 (Article 20, paragraphs 1 and 3) of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, which prohibits the manipulation of football matches and competitions. The decision stems from investigations into two league fixtures: Paynesville FC versus Freeport FC, and Shaita FC versus Paynesville FC.
As a result, the committee announced that Urey has been banned for five years from all football-related activities, including administrative and sporting functions, and is barred from entering any stadium. Meanwhile, Paynesville FC player Eugene Swen received a two-year ban from all football activities, inclusive of a prior suspension already being served.

Urey has condemned the committee's ruling, arguing that she is being targeted for publicly declaring support for Cassell Kuoh's LFA bid. She added that she has never communicated with any Paynesville FC player or official regarding match manipulation, contrary to the committee’s claim. She announced plans to formally appeal the ruling and to pursue legal action in defense of her integrity and that of other opposition-aligned team officials.

“I refuse to be discouraged by unfounded allegations,” she said. “This is about more than me. It is about the reputation of opposition team leaders who have become constant targets under the current football administration.” Despite the ruling, Urey pledged that Shaita Angels would continue to participate actively in football governance and to oppose what she termed the entrenched leadership of LFA President Mustapha Raji. She stated that her club would vote against Raji in upcoming football elections, arguing that Liberian football requires development, transparency, and genuine improvement.

The Shaita Angels president further accused the LFA of applying double standards in the handling of disciplinary matters. She pointed to previous results in the domestic league, including a 6–1 victory by LISCR FC over Shaita FC and a later defeat of LISCR by Freeport FC that helped Freeport avoid relegation, which, she said, were not subjected to any investigation for possible manipulation. “In this instance, the Committee has chosen to act without evidence, further exposing the bias behind this decision,” she said.

Urey, who hails from Careysburg, also emphasized her commitment to empowering young footballers from her community, adding that she would take the matter to the fullest extent of the law. She was once an ally of Raji, but in recent times, she declared public support for Raji's main rival in the LFA, pending congress in April of this year. Raji has faced mounting allegations of targeting club executives who have publicly declared support for Cassell Kuoh.

Author: Victor Quaye