World’s football governing body FIFA has put on hold Sierra Leone Football Association Ordinary Congress over certain unmet conditions.
The gathering on 14th July was to elect new president and members of the Executive Committee of the troubled federation.
In a communiqué dated 7th July, FIFA’s Secretary General Madam Fatma Samoura cites lack of adherence to an MOU involving her, Minister of Sports and SLFA president.
“…as a result the same problems appear to remain unresolved,” the letter reads partly.
SFLA’s hierarchy has been embroiled in wrangles with itself and other football stakeholders since Madam Isha Johansen’s reign as president began in 2013.
As a result the country has not played any league football in the past four years. Isha, who is the only female federation boss in Africa has also come under attack over alleged embezzlement of the federation’s funds.
Her opponents accuse her of playing the gender card and using her connections at FIFA and CAF where she holds different positions to thwart scrutiny.
FIFA is also concerned that the implantation of integrity checks to current, and potential SLFA Executive Members has not been done.
Judicial bodies and administrative officials registered under the SLFA must also undergo an integrity scrutiny which has not happened.
“As a consequence of the above the FIFA Members Association Committee 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.”
Before the postponement, Mr. Sanusi Bruski Kargbo has declared he would challenge Madam Isha for the top seat.
Bruski pledged to “bring back peace and tranquility to the Sierra Leone football family.”
The country will now wait for a FIFA and CAF mission to arrive to commence the implementation of the FIFA’s directives.
