FIFA suspends Sierra Leone

The Bureau of the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) Council on Friday, October 5, suspended the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) for government interference.

The decision according to FIFA, comes with immediate effect.

The decision follows an earlier letter from FIFA to the Minister of Sports of Sierra Leone to express grave concern over the removal of the SLFA President and the SLFA General Secretary and a request by FIFA to allow them to access the SLFA premises without further delay to ensure that the operations of the SLFA, including FIFA-funded projects, were not jeopardised.

According to FIFA, the suspension would be lifted once the SLFA and its recognised leadership (led by SLFA President, Ms Isha Johansen, and SLFA General Secretary, Mr Christopher Kamara) have confirmed to FIFA, that the SLFA administration, premises, accounts and communication channels were under their control once again.

Following its suspension, the SLFA has lost all its membership rights as defined in art. 13 of the FIFA Statutes.

The SLFA’s national and affiliated club teams are no longer entitled to take part in international competitions until the suspension is lifted.

This also means that neither the SLFA nor any of its members or officials may benefit from any development programmes, courses or training from FIFA or CAF.

FIFA said in accordance with art. 16 par. 3 of the its statutes, other member associations may not entertain sporting contact with the SLFA during its suspension.

Source: GNA