Sierra Leone deputy Minister of Sports Ishmael Al Sankoh Conteh has termed FIFA letter postponing Sierra Leone Football Association Ordinary Congress “untimely” and a “misplaced aggression.”
The gathering on 14th July was to elect new SLFA president and Executive Members; however, FIFA halted the plans in a letter to the federation’s Secretary General Christopher Kamara dated 7th July.
“The letter from FIFA is untimely and a misplaced aggression,” Ishmael said.
In the communiqué, the world’s football governing body cited lack of adherence to an MOU involving FIFA, Minister of Sports and the SLFA president Isha Johansen.
FIFA is also dissatisfied with lack of implementation of integrity checks to current and potential SLFA Executive Members. FIFA equally expected that judicial bodies and administrative officials registered under the SLFA to undergo an integrity scrutiny which has not happened.
However, Ishmael questions what the checks have to do with holding of the SLFA Ordinary Congress – saying that they are just a ploy by the Secretary General of FIFA to perpetuate “serial corruption and manipulation” in Sierra Leone.
“What does an integrity test have to do with SLFA Ordinary Congress, this is part of the FIFA’s Secretary General cycle of serial corruption and manipulation in Sierra Leone,” Ishmael said.
He further slammed Madam Fatma Samoura, the FIFA’s Secretary General for misinforming the Head of State His Excellency Koroma.
“The same FIFA Secretary General, Madam Fatma Samoura said to President Koroma that Sierra Leone will be allocated slot to host the women’s World Cup, but it all proven to be fallacious and completeness of misinformation.”
SLFA has endured leadership wrangles since the tenure of Madam Isha Johansen started in 2013 and the country has not played league football under her leadership.
The elections are seen as the only avenue left to put things back on track. However, Isha opponents have accused her of buying time and using her international clout to derail the process.
FIFA has since resolved that a task force be created composed of representatives from FIFA, CAF, SLFA and the Ministry of Sports to look into issues in relation to integrity of matches.
Isha is a member of the CAF Executive and also sits in the FIFA Members Association Committee.
