Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) President, Babadi Kamara, has warned that Leone Stars’ upcoming international fixtures could be in jeopardy if government interference in football administration continues.
He said the independence of the SLFA is a mandatory requirement under FIFA rules and must be respected to avoid sanctions that could affect the national team.
Kamara delivered the warning during the Ministry of Sports’ National Consultative Conference held in Lakka, where he stressed the need for Sierra Leone to fully comply with global football governance standards.
He cited Articles 14 and 19 of the FIFA Statutes, which require member associations to run their affairs independently and free from undue third-party influence.
According to Kamara, Sierra Leone remains the only country among FIFA’s 211 member associations where the national team is “multi-managed.”
He argued that this arrangement creates confusion and undermines performance, saying the technical team must operate under a clear and singular authority.
“The national team coach is not expected to have several bosses. We will manage Leone Stars going forward,” Kamara said, insisting that operational autonomy for the SLFA was necessary for competitive success.
He cautioned that failure to end government interference could threaten Sierra Leone’s preparation for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, which are scheduled to begin in March next year. Kamara noted that any breach of FIFA statutes could attract penalties that may affect the national team’s participation.
While emphasizing the SLFA’s independence, Kamara acknowledged the Ministry of Sports as the highest government authority in the sector. He welcomed the ongoing review of the National Sports Policy and the Sports Authority Act, assuring the government of the SLFA’s full cooperation.
Kamara concluded by reminding stakeholders of the national importance of the team, stating: “Leone Stars is the only asset owned by every Sierra Leonean. We must do everything humanly possible to protect it.”
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