The growing allegation of match-fixing in Sierra Leone football continues as latest reports have it that Interpol has arrived in Freetown to investigate officials and players who were allegedly accused of being involved in match-fixing.
Five players and eight officials are said to be under investigation by Interpol relating to a Jun 21st 2008 match between South Africa and Sierra Leone in South Africa.
The five players named are; Goalkeeper Christian Caulker, Ibrahim Obreh Kargbo, Samuel Barlay, Ibrahim Marcel Koroma and an unnamed retired player.
Two of the five players; Christian Caulker and Ibrahim Marcel Koroma have both been withdrawn from the national team, Leone Stars for Saturday’s 2015 AFCON qualifiers against Seychelles.
Five players and eight officials are said to be under investigation by Interpol relating to a Jun 21st 2008 match between South Africa and Sierra Leone in South Africa.
The five players named are; Goalkeeper Christian Caulker, Ibrahim Obreh Kargbo, Samuel Barlay, Ibrahim Marcel Koroma and an unnamed retired player.
Two of the five players; Christian Caulker and Ibrahim Marcel Koroma have both been withdrawn from the national team, Leone Stars for Saturday’s 2015 AFCON qualifiers against Seychelles.
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Other notable names amongst the eight alleged officials to be investigated are; Abu Bakar Sweet Kay Kabba- former Administrative Secretary of SLFA, former Minister of Sports Algasimu Jah, Alhaji Unisa Alim Sesay, former Team Manager Ahmed Sesay and Ahmed Kanu a former coach.
Orders to investigate the players and officials came from FIFA after it was believed that a famous global match-fixer; Wilson Raj Perumal allegedly stated that he tried to fix the said match.
Meanwhile, sources close to the Sierra Leone Football Association stated that the investigation is not only limited to the South Africa match but other matches in which Wilson Raj Perumal allegedly named several officials including the current acting Director of Sports, Alphan Koker, two SLFA executive committee members; Morrision Sannoh and Nasiru Deen Uthman as accomplices in his machinations.
The names of two referees and few other officials are also included. The Football Association’s source also alleged that Interpol are already in Freetown and that they have all the needed evidence to conduct their investigations.
Meanwhile efforts to reach Goalie Christian Caulker have proved futile but his close friend who only prefers to be identified as Bockarie said the goalkeeper is in shock and disappointed with such news adding that his friend’s best match for Leone Stars till date was that particular match in question.
“How can a player who has served this nation with all his best, fix a match which ended in a goalless draw?” Caulker’s friend asked.
Orders to investigate the players and officials came from FIFA after it was believed that a famous global match-fixer; Wilson Raj Perumal allegedly stated that he tried to fix the said match.
Meanwhile, sources close to the Sierra Leone Football Association stated that the investigation is not only limited to the South Africa match but other matches in which Wilson Raj Perumal allegedly named several officials including the current acting Director of Sports, Alphan Koker, two SLFA executive committee members; Morrision Sannoh and Nasiru Deen Uthman as accomplices in his machinations.
The names of two referees and few other officials are also included. The Football Association’s source also alleged that Interpol are already in Freetown and that they have all the needed evidence to conduct their investigations.
Meanwhile efforts to reach Goalie Christian Caulker have proved futile but his close friend who only prefers to be identified as Bockarie said the goalkeeper is in shock and disappointed with such news adding that his friend’s best match for Leone Stars till date was that particular match in question.
“How can a player who has served this nation with all his best, fix a match which ended in a goalless draw?” Caulker’s friend asked.
By: Sahr Morris Jr.
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