March 16, 2017 By Sahr Morris Jnr
African football governing body, CAF has levied US$ 10,000 fine on the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) following the withdrawal of the country’s Confederations Cup representative, Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF).
The Military guys were billed to host their Tunisian opponent, Club Africain on Sunday, March 19, at the Siaka Stevens Stadium in Freetown for the return leg tie but decided to pull out after losing the first leg 9-1 at the Rades Olympic Stadium, last Sunday.
Meanwhile, RSLAF FC decision not to honour the second leg has given the Tunisians side the leeway to the round of 16, while their Sierra Leonean opponent could face a possible two-year ban for pulling out.
Already, the SLFA has confirmed receiving the continent’s football governing correspondence and according to their (SLFA) Director of Competition, Sorie Ibrahim Sesay, the CAF applied Article 10 of the tournament’s rules and regulations which states that: “Withdrawals declared before the start of the competition and until the 1/8th final round inclusive, shall entail a fine of 10,000 dollars in addition to losing the engagement fees.”
While Article 10.11 states: “Apart from the financial sanctions, every club withdrawing from the competition after the establishment of the fixtures will be forbidden from participating in all CAF inter-clubs competitions for two years following its withdrawal.”
Although the decision for RSLAF withdrawal is yet to be confirmed, it is said to be connected to lack of funds and the lack of belief of turning the 9-1 score-line.
Goals from Ghandri, Khelifa, Darragi, Meniaoui, Jaziri and Ibrahim Chenihi, who scored four goals practically, ended the tie as the defeat became the worst ever a Sierra Leonean club has suffered in a CAF clubs competition.