Football Federation of Samoa mediation fails, case heads to Court

Staff Reporters/

Apia, Samoa – 30 April 2025 – The mediation between the Football Federation of Samoa (FFS) President, Papalii Leslie Petaia and former Chief Executive Officer, Galumalemana Ronna Lee did not reach an amicable solution and is now heading to Court.

The matter was first called in the Supreme Court in October 2024 followed by re-mention until both parties agreed to a mediation and as with the normal procedure, if it does not reach a solution at mediation phase, a party or parties can pursue the matter in court.

The former CEO is claiming illegal termination, a few months after she was recruited in February 2024 and is asking for $300,000 in damages.

According to court documents, when the matter was first mentioned, Galumalemana’s termination was based on her responses to emails shared between her and Papalii and the contents of her emails was an indication to Papalii that they cannot work together for the future of FFS.

It was also noted that Papalii did not give Galumalemana an opportunity to explain her side but went ahead and terminated her.

It is not the first case of a Football Federation Samoa CEO being terminated and there is another former CEO’s claim of unlawful termination still pending in Court.