LFA Appeal Board Confirms Jubilee FC Relegation to Third Division

Monrovia, Liberia: The Club Licensing Appeal Board of the Liberia Football Association (LFA) has upheld the football governing body's decision to relegate Jubilee Football Club to the Third Division League.

The Club Licensing Appeal Board on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, announced the dismissal of an appeal filed by Jubilee FC seeking to overturn the relegation imposed on it by the football body.

Backdrop of the Relegation

In April 2025, the Liberia Football Association relegated Jubilee FC to the Third Division despite the club's promotion from the Second to the First Division League, citing breach of league rules.

According to the LFA, the club submitted a fraudulent business registration document during the registration process for the 2024/2025 season. This, the LFA said, was discovered following a verification process.

The Football House stated that the club was initially fined $10,000 but failed to comply, which led to a further penalty of relegation.

Jubilee FC's Legal Fight Against the Relegation

Jubilee FC strongly objected to the decision, filing an initial appeal with the LFA Appeal Board. The club argued that its relegation was unjust and lacked due process.

However, the appeal did not succeed after a stalemate at the Appeal Board level, which by default upheld the LFA’s stance.

The club then sought further review from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), pushing to overturn the LFA's decision.

After a lengthy investigation, CAS ruled that the LFA temporarily reinstated Jubilee FC to the First Division. The Arbitration body referred the case to the LFA Club Licensing Appeal Board to allow due process and make a final determination.

Outcome of the Case by the LFA Club Licensing Appeal Board

After reviewing the case for some months, the LFA Appeal Board found that Jubilee FC indeed submitted falsified business registration document during the club licensing process.

The Board stated that the club was afforded due process, initially, through the time frame set for a fine for the reported violation.

The Appeal Board declared that the relegation imposed on Jubilee was a proportionate and necessary measure to maintain the integrity of Liberian football.

The statement issued on Tuesday read: "The Liberia Football Association (LFA) Club Licensing Appeal Board has dismissed the appeal filed by Jubilee FC, confirming the club's relegation to the 3rd division."

"This decision follows a directive from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which had suspended the relegation pending final review. After examining the case, the Appeal Board found that Jubilee FC submitted falsified Business Registration documents during the licensing process."

"The Board concluded that the club was afforded due process and that relegation is a proportionate measure to protect the integrity of Liberian football."

According to the Liberia Football Association, the ruling marks the final step in the adjudication process, in line with CAS requirements.

This comes as a major blow for Jubilee FC, which was initially reinstated in the First Division. With this decision, the club will now descend to the third tier and will need to stand a tough test of time in order to find its way back to the top-flight league.