Sierra Leone risking international ban by Fifa after overturning FA leadership
The country's FA offices were raided by Anti-Corruption authorities over match-fixing and abuse of public funds, and president Isha Johansen was forced to step down
SIERRA LEONE risk an international ban after seeing their leadership overturned by Fifa.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) seized control of the country’s FA and forced president Isha Johansen to step down.
Fifa forbid outside third-party interference in the running of its members, with Johansen accused of corruption – a claim she strenuously denies.
There are also investigations to oversee irregular delays to FA elections.
This follows several accusations of match-fixing, including a World Cup qualifier against South Africa in 2008, as the West African nation continues to be involved in conflict.
And now the country face a suspension from competing on the pitch in an attempt to halt all illegal activities that are alleged to be taking place within the SLFA.
A Fifa letter said: “We request the SLFA to provide a detailed report on the current situation by no later than Monday 24 September.
“Recent developments, if confirmed, would … have to be brought to the attention of the Bureau of the Fifa Council for consideration of sanctions, including immediate suspension.
“It was reported to our services that on 18 September, the premises of the SLFA were apparently intruded by the ACC allegedly with the collaboration of the Ministry of Sports and accompanied by armed forces.”
After the ACC’s actions in Freetown, the commission handed control of the SLFA to vice-president Brima Kamara and deputy general secretary Abdul Rahman Swarray.
These two must now respond to Fifa’s request.
