Sierra Leone FA Ban Stays As Fifa Rejects Appeal Till Demands Are Met

Fifa ban on Sierra Leone Football Association to stay as efforts to have it lifted was rejected Tuesday due to failure to comply with demands.

The world’s football body has stressed that without president Isha Johansen and secretary general Chris Camara regaining full leadership of the FA, the ban stands.

The duo were prevailed upon to stand down by the country’s anti-corruption body after graft charges were brought against them.

This plus a raid on the SLFA premises in Freetown prompted FIFA to impose the ban following several warnings against the perceived third party interference.

In an effort to get the ban removed as soon as possible, a meeting bringing together government officials and members of the warring SLFA took place at the State House Monday.

“A process aimed at resolving the current impasse” was set in motion and SLFA wrote to FIFA appealing for the ban to be lifted to allow Sierra Leone play Ghana in the 2019 Afcon qualifier this week.

However, according to FIFA, the efforts were not enough until Aisha and Chris are fully back in office.

“The suspension will only be lifted once the SLFA and its recognized leadership (led by SLFA miss Aisha Johansen and SLFA general secretary Mr. Christopher Camara) have confirmed to Fifa that SLFA administration, premises, accounts, and communication channels are under their control once again.”

SLFA had until 5.00pm local time to confirm the same to FIFA.

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Sierra Leone anti-corruption boss Francis Ben Kaifala has said that “let the beautiful game play in our hearts while we fight corruption.”

Kaifala has also taken a swipe at Fifa saying “It’s vain to sit and write to a graft-clouded Fifa if we cannot stand to live for ourselves for once.”

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