The Chairman of the Premier League Board (PLB), Justice Mark Ngegba, is reportedly in a state of confusion following the unexpected leak of the Disciplinary Committee ruling to the public. This revelation has ignited a storm of controversy within the Sierra Leone football community, raising fresh questions about transparency, political interference, and the credibility of football governance in the country.
Across Sierra Leone, football stakeholders and fans are now openly asking: Has football been hijacked by politicians? Or are the statutory bodies of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) losing their relevance?
At the heart of the tension lies the fate of Mighty Blackpool F.C. The club survived relegation after a decisive win against Wilberforce and subsequently won their official protest against Diamond Stars F.C., who had fielded ineligible players. The Disciplinary Committee had awarded Blackpool two additional goals and three points a decision that should have mathematically secured their place in next season’s Premier League.
However, reports suggest that the Premier League Board is reluctant to implement the ruling. the PLB refuses to enforce the ruling of the SLFA Disciplinary Committee decision, Blackpool survival in the league remains under threat.
Reliable sources close to Blackpool club confirm that both stakeholders and fans of the club are prepared to reject any act of injustice or bias from the Premier League Board. They have vowed to take their case beyond Sierra Leone, even escalating the matter to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee and other bodies.
Speculation is also growing that influential figures in Kono are exerting pressure on the Premier League Board to overturn the Disciplinary Committee ruling in favour of Diamond Stars. This has further deepened suspicion of political and regional interference in football matters.
The outcome of this controversy could have far-reaching consequences, not only for Blackpool but also for the integrity of Sierra Leone domestic football structures.
