September 21 – In a clear sign that it still supports beleaguered Sierra Leone FA president Isha Johansen despite a bitter power struggle at home, FIFA have warned the country it risks an international ban following a move to overturn the leadership of the federation.
On Tuesday, Sierra Leone’s anti-corruption commission seized control of the Sierra Leone FA (SLFA), forcing Johansen to step aside and handing responsibility to SLFA vice-president Brima Kamara and deputy general secretary Abdul Rahman Swarray.
FIFA’s statutes forbid government interference in the running of its associations but the rule has long been considered a grey area particularly in regions where sports federations and the authorities are intertwined.
The ACC has instructed both Johansen and Christopher Kamara to step aside as it investigates both of them for abuse of office and public funds – charges the pair strenuously deny. Local rules in Sierra Leone require that an official facing such charges must step aside until the case is closed.
But FIFA is having none of it.
“We request the SLFA to provide a detailed report on the current situation by no later than Monday 24 September,” a FIFA warned in a letter to the federation.
“Recent developments, if confirmed, would … have to be brought to the attention of the Bureau of the FIFA Council for consideration of sanctions, including immediate suspension.
“It was reported to our services that on 18 September, the premises of the SLFA were apparently intruded by the ACC, allegedly with the collaboration of the Ministry of Sports and accompanied by armed forces,” added the letter signed by FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura who is understood to be a close colleague of Johansen (pictured left with Samoura).
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Sport, Ibrahim Nyelenkeh, has denied any involvement in the actions of the ACC which he said acted entirely independently.
“My ministry has not been involved in the latest actions taken by the ACC, which is an independent body and not linked to the government,” he told the BBC.
Johansen’s mandate as president officially expired in August but she claims she is the victim of trumped-up charges designed to stop her carrying out an inquiry into match-fixing and corruption perpetrated by high-ranking opponents. A FIFA delegation is due to arrive in the country any day now to investigate her claims. FIFA is also overseeing a roadmap which includes integrity checks on officials wanting to contest executive positions.
For his part, Sierra Leone Anti-Corruption Commissioner Francis Ben Kaifala has reiterated that the country’s laws must be upheld.
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