The Sierra Leone Sports Ministry and National Sports Council (NSC) on Tuesday March 10 lifted the suspension levied on four players and 11 officials on match-fixing allegation.
Former Sierra Leone national team Captain Ibrahim ‘Obreh’ Kargbo was amongst the 15 people suspended in a joint press statement from both the ministry and the Sierra Leone Football Association on 16 July 2014 on the said "allegations of match-fixing".
It was said that the named officials and player were alleged to have received monies to fix matches they played for the 2010 World Cup preliminary fixtures between South Africa and Sierra Leone.
Former Sierra Leone national team Captain Ibrahim ‘Obreh’ Kargbo was amongst the 15 people suspended in a joint press statement from both the ministry and the Sierra Leone Football Association on 16 July 2014 on the said "allegations of match-fixing".
It was said that the named officials and player were alleged to have received monies to fix matches they played for the 2010 World Cup preliminary fixtures between South Africa and Sierra Leone.
The match in question was played on 21 July, 2008 and it ended in a goalless draw.
In a press statement released on Tuesday and signed by the acting director of sports, Saidu Mansaray, the decision to lift the suspension was to ensure that the planned April 17-19 SLFA congress is devoid from any conditionality.
The release reads: “In support of the move by his Excellency Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma to solve the impasse in football and to ensure that the SLFA congress scheduled for April 17-19 is devoid from any conditionality, the Ministry of Sports/NSC has decided to lift the suspension imposed on players and officials until further notice.”
The Ministry further warned the SLFA members that no obstacles should be put in place prior to the congress and that all members must ensure that they meet their financial obligations before going to congress.
Reacting to the news, chairman of the Western Area Football Association (WAFA), Abdul Hamid Kanasieu Rollings said he was pleased with the news but cannot make further comment as his focus is solely on the forthcoming April Congress.
“Am ok for now, let forget this and think about the congress which is my priority as head of the biggest football constituency,” he said. In July last year, the SLFA and the Ministry of Sport said in a statement it had it had received “credible and tangible information” on the alleged involvement of the 15 in match-fixing.
The 11 officials are; Abu Bakarr Kabba, Abdul Hamid Kanasieu Rollings, Alhaji Nasiru Deen Othman, Morrison Sannoh, Abdul Kabia, Sheriff Newland, Bernard Sorbeh, Alimamy K Foot Turay, Alphan S Koker, Victor Lewis, and Rodney Michael whilst the four players are; Christian Caulker, Ibrahim Obreh Kargbo, Ibrahim Koroma and Samuel Barlay.
In a press statement released on Tuesday and signed by the acting director of sports, Saidu Mansaray, the decision to lift the suspension was to ensure that the planned April 17-19 SLFA congress is devoid from any conditionality.
The release reads: “In support of the move by his Excellency Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma to solve the impasse in football and to ensure that the SLFA congress scheduled for April 17-19 is devoid from any conditionality, the Ministry of Sports/NSC has decided to lift the suspension imposed on players and officials until further notice.”
The Ministry further warned the SLFA members that no obstacles should be put in place prior to the congress and that all members must ensure that they meet their financial obligations before going to congress.
Reacting to the news, chairman of the Western Area Football Association (WAFA), Abdul Hamid Kanasieu Rollings said he was pleased with the news but cannot make further comment as his focus is solely on the forthcoming April Congress.
“Am ok for now, let forget this and think about the congress which is my priority as head of the biggest football constituency,” he said. In July last year, the SLFA and the Ministry of Sport said in a statement it had it had received “credible and tangible information” on the alleged involvement of the 15 in match-fixing.
The 11 officials are; Abu Bakarr Kabba, Abdul Hamid Kanasieu Rollings, Alhaji Nasiru Deen Othman, Morrison Sannoh, Abdul Kabia, Sheriff Newland, Bernard Sorbeh, Alimamy K Foot Turay, Alphan S Koker, Victor Lewis, and Rodney Michael whilst the four players are; Christian Caulker, Ibrahim Obreh Kargbo, Ibrahim Koroma and Samuel Barlay.
By: Sahr Morris Jr.
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