February 8, 2016 By Sahr Morris Jr.
The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) has rejected the request by FC Kallon to recommend their midfielder, Saidu Fofanah aka ‘Okocha’, who is to undergo training and trials with Swedish Division II club, Motala AIF.
The youngster was slated to travel to Abjua, Nigeria for an entry visa to Sweden, where he is expected to start training sessions and trials with the Swedish outfit on 15 February.
According to FC Kallon’s secretary general, Blamoh Robert, he sent a letter dated January 18, 2016 to the SLFA requesting them to write a recommendation letter to the Swedish embassy’s consular officer on the player’s behalf.
He said: “This has always been the case whenever our players are going out for trials, we seek the FA’s reference letter with an attached document of the club’s invitation and a copy of the player’s passport.
“To our surprise, exactly two weeks after our request for recommendation, the SLFA secretary sent the same letter to us with a double red stamp at the top and bottom which [states], ‘Rejected’.”
Responding on what will be the club’s next move, Robert said they are going to explore all avenues to ensure that the player’s dream move to Sweden becomes a reality. He added that such an action by the Johansen administration will continue to deepen the ongoing rift within the football family.
A senior official from the SLFA secretariat said the decision by the Football Association is not unconnected to the earlier warning that players and officials who are participating in the ongoing football stakeholders’ ‘National Premier League’ will face punishment.