October 12, 2016 By Sahr Morris Jr.
The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) and stakeholders (membership) could engage in a new row after the latter insisted that they will not participate in any SLFA organised tournament, including the planned Sierra Leone Premier League.
With the SLFA hoping to revive the domestic league for the first time since it was halted midway through the 2014 season due to the Ebola epidemic, the SLFA members are still kicking against playing football under the Isha Johansen-led administration.
According to Blamoh Robert, secretary general of FC Kallon, their team will only play the league if the SLFA executive committee convenes congress.
Robert insisted that their position remains the same, adding that the SLFA must respect the Association’s constitution by taking the membership to congress and addressing issues affecting the game in the country.
“We, together with other Premier League clubs, didn’t take part in the FA Cup because the executive committee has refused to convene congress and we have no regret not playing the FA Cup,” Robert told the BBC.
Other Premier League clubs who have shared similar sentiments are Mighty Blackpool, East End Lions, Anti-Drugs FC – a team owned by the SLFA members chairman Alhaji Unisa Alim Sesay.
Meanwhile, the SLFA says, they are determined to go ahead with the league and has plan to make up for any shortfall of clubs in the top flight.
According to SLFA director of competitions, Sorie Ibrahim Sesay, the executive committee has the power to bring in teams from the first division to fill in a gap if any team boycotted the league.
He told the BBC: “We have decided as a football association to empower the regional football associations to run their various first and second divisions leagues within the next three months.”
Recently, 10 of the 14 Premier League clubs refused to take part in the FA Cup, which was eventually won by FC Johansen – a team owned by the SLFA president.