"Politically Motivated" - Shaita Angels President Miss. Urey Chastises LFA Sanction

MONROVIA, LIBERIA: Benetta Urey, the President of Upper Women's League club Shaita Angels, has taken serious exception to the five-year ban imposed on her from all football-related activities by the Liberia Football Association (LFA).

The LFA on Thursday, January 8, 2026, sanctioned Miss. Urey after findings into investigation linked her to match manipulation during the 2024/2025 season between first division league clubs Shaita FC VS Paynesville FC and Freeport FC VS Paynesville FC.

The controversy sparked after relegation-threatened Shaita FC shockingly defeated in-formed Paynesville FC 7-0 during the latter stage of the league season. The controversy heightened when Paynesville FC recalibrated to Freeport FC 3-2, raising concerns about match fixing.

Allegations emerged that the female football stakeholder, Benetta Urey, financially influenced players of Paynesville FC to lose bigly against her interest club Shaita FC to redeem goals against and help save the team from facing relegation; though they succumbed at the end of the season.

Many held the view that given Shaita FC's poor performance, it was impossible for the club to defeat in-formed Paynesville FC 7 goals to 0. This promoted months of investigation, which came to a final conclusion on Thursday, January 8, 2026.

The Liberia Football Association through its Grievance and Disciplinary Committee found the Shaita Angels President liable of the match fixing allegations and said the actions violated Part I, Chapter 2 (20)(1&3) of the FIFA Disciplinary Code on Manipulation of football matches and competitions.

According to the football body, the violation warranted her five-year ban from all football-related activities including administrative, sports, and any other and barred from entering any stadium hosting football activities. In the same vein, a Paynesville FC player Eugene Swen was also banned from all football-related activities for a period of two years.

But reacting to her sanction, Benetta Urey denied any involvement in match manipulation between Shaita FC VS Paynesville FC or Freeport FC VS Paynesville FC.

The Shaita Angels President said the LFA's sanction lacks merit, and described it as a politically motivated move to silence her critical stance against the leadership of Mustapha Raji at Liberia Football Association.

Miss Urey who took to her personal Facebook handle, claimed that the investigation indicting her was based on speculation. She stated that her open support towards Cassell Kuoh, a presidential hope in the upcoming LFA Congress, has made her a target under the Raji's administration.

Incumbent President Mustapha Raji has announced his decision to seek a third-term, and opposition figure Cassell Kuoh has vowed to challenge Raji's re-election. Benetta Urey in recent times has been a fierce critic of Raji's leadership.

As a stakeholder, Miss Urey has repeatedly vowed to oppose Raji's third-term bid, citing slow pace of football development under the current regime; even though the LFA has boasted of making gains.

With less than four months to the LFA 2926 Congress, she believes her ban is an intimidation towards opposition voices in the football community.

"The Liberia Football Association Grievance and Disciplinary Committee has issued a claim alleging my involvement in match manipulation. I categorically reject and denounce this claim as false, misleading, and politically motivated".

"This baseless accusation is clearly intended to target me because of my open support for Cassell A. Kuoh’s presidential bid. The so‑called ban is founded on mere speculation and gossip, with no proof, no evidence, and not a single individual coming forward to claim that I ever gave them money", she stated.

Meanwhile, Miss. Urey has insisted to appeal the decision of the Grievances and Disciplinary committee of the Liberia Football Association, regarding her sanction in the soonest possible time. 

"I will appeal this decision and pursue all necessary legal actions to defend my integrity and the reputation of all opposition team leaders as we have become a constant target by this current football government", Benetta Urey noted.