by FSL News | 21 Sep, 2016 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
SLFA president Isha Johansen, who was detained and questioned, is under investigation by Sierra Leone’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) over the management of funds received by the SLFA since February.
The world football body, Fifa has said in a letter to the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) that there has been no ‘misuse of the funds’ it has given to the Isha Johansen’s administration.
A FIFA statement said: “Fifa has no reason to suspect there has been misuse of funds that Fifa has provided to the SLFA.”
Fifa also warned of any government interference in the FA’s business.
“In addition, over the course of the last three years, Fifa has noticed several activities of third parties that could be considered as interference (in) the running of the SLFA.”
“These have caused continuous instability to the legitimate and recognised leadership of the federation,” the Fifa letter, which was copied to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), added.
“Fifa urges the relevant Sierra Leone authorities – in particular the Ministry of Sports and the Anti-Corruption Commission – to allow the SLFA to conduct its affairs and activities without unnecessary obstruction as no Fifa regulations have been contravened with regards to the Fifa funding.”
Johansen, who alongside her vice president and Secretary general Chris Kamara spent a night in detention, a few days ago written a heartfelt statement declared herself innocent of any alleged corruption accusation against her and was ‘shocked and humiliated’ following her arrest.
Ady Macauley, head of the ACC, who confirmed that he ordered the arrests of the FA boss Isha Johansen, vice president Brima Kamara and secretary general Christopher Kamara have insisted that they remain committed to the fight against corruption in the country.
Macauley said the investigations related to “donor funds” from the world football governing body, FIFA.
Meanwhile, Fifa also stated that it intends to send newly appointed secretary general Fatma Samoura to Freetown in due course to assess the matter.
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by FSL News | 15 Sep, 2016 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
After a positive result away to Ivory Coast in Bouake in their final 2017 African Cup of Nations qualifier, Sellas Tetteh’s side have slid back out of the world’s top 90 again following their exit from the  Gabon 2017 continental big stage next year.
The Leone Stars of Sierra Leone dropped five places in the latest FIFA ranking released on Thursday, September 15 to become the 93rd placed team globally.
This sees the Leone Stars now ranked 25th in the continent – Africa.
Others on the continental stage, the Black Stars dropped from 2nd to 5th, with Cote d’Ivoire (1st and 34 overall), (Algeria 2nd & 35), Senegal 3rd & 39) and Tunisia (42) and Ghana 43rd making up the top five in Africa.
DR Congo (51), Egypt (53), Congo (54), Mali (55), and Morocco (58) complete the top ten in that order.
The World’s top 10 (as of September 15, 2016)
1 Argentina, 2 Belgium, 3 Germany, 4 Colombia, 4 Brazil, 6 Chile, 7 Portugal, 8 France, 9 Uruguay, 10 Wales
The next edition of the ranking will be released on October 20.
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by FSL News | 10 Sep, 2016 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
The President of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), Isha Johansen has protested her innocence after she was released on bail from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) on Thursday night.
Johansen, who spent a night in detention, has written a heartfelt statement declared herself innocent of any alleged corruption accusation against her and was ‘shocked and humiliated’ following her arrest.
She also said she had not received any police charges.
“Events over the past 48 hours involving my arrest by the Anti-Corruption (Commission) and subsequent custody by the CID left me shocked and mortified,” she said in her statement hours after she was set free.
“I am happy to report that I have been released without any charges. My innocence in any allegation/s involving corruption or related offences is undisputed. she said.
“My fourteen-year career in football administration globally and nationally has from the onset been centred around bringing INTEGRITY and GOOD GOVERNANCE into football in the belief that healthy football family can contribute to creating a healthy nation.
“I thank the numerous well-wishers from every nation, creed and gender, whose prayers and cries echoed through the walls where I was held overnight.
“Sierra Leone football is on a journey and every road has its bumpy patch. We are back on the road again… God bless you all and thank you for the love.”
Johansen’s arrest and detention came just after the Sierra Leone Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) announced Operation Thunderbolt.
Ady Macauley, head of the ACC, confirmed that he ordered the arrests of the FA boss Isha Johansen, vice president Brima Kamara and secretary general Christopher Kamara.
Macauley said the investigations related to “donor funds” from the world football governing body, FIFA, but did not give further details.
A Fifa spokesperson told this medium on Wednesday that they are yet to receive any official confirmation, however, they are monitoring the situation.
“At the time of writing, we haven’t received any official information we are therefore not in a position to comment. We will monitor the Situation.”
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by FSL News | 9 Sep, 2016 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
The President of the SLFA Isha Johansen was released on bail from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) on Thursday night after a night in detention.
Johansen’s arrest and detention came just after the Sierra Leone Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) started Operation Thunderbolt, which is aimed at intensifying their fight against corruption.
The Commission also stated that they have been investigating the management of funds received by the SLFA since February.
Several reports in Freetown have confirmed that the other two SLFA officials Brima Mazola Kamara (Vice President) and Christopher Kamara (Secretary General) are still in custody because they are yet to meet their bail conditions.
A Fifa spokesperson told footballsierraleone.net on Wednesday that they are yet to receive any official confirmation, however, they are monitoring the situation.
“At the time of writing, we haven’t received any official information we are therefore not in a position to comment. We will monitor the Situation.”
The country’s Football FA is yet to release any statement on the present development.
According to several reports, earlier, armed police and officials from the Anti-Corruption commission raided the football FA’s secretariat and took away documents of interest to help their ongoing investigations.
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by FSL News | 8 Sep, 2016 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
The World’s football governing body, Fifa has exclusively told footballsierraleone.net that they are “monitoring the situation concerning the arrest of the three top Sierra Leone soccer officials”, answering a request by this website following last Wednesday arrest and detention.
The governing body of the sport has Sierra Leone very close within its sights after the SLFA boss Isha Johansen, vice-president Brima Kamara, and the FA General Secretary were arrested on Wednesday by the Anti-Corruption Commission and later detained at the Criminal investigation Department (CID) in Freetown.
A Fifa spokesperson said: “At the time of writing, we haven’t received any official information we are therefore not in a position to comment. We will monitor the Situation.”
Meanwhile, the three arrested persons could be released today if they meet the bail conditions of two sureties and a title deed.
All three arrested persons denied any wrongdoing.
According to the public education and outreach officer of the country’s Anti-Corruption Commission Patrick Sandy, the commission has been investigating the management of funds received by the SLFA since February.
Federation officials have repeatedly declined to respond to inquiries from the commission, insisting that they are exempt from government jurisdiction and answer only to FIFA.
“The ACC is not a political institution,” Sandy said. “It is an independent body not subjected to political interference.”
Sandy did not specify what aspect of funding the commission was investigating.
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by FSL News | 7 Sep, 2016 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
SLFA President Isha Johansen and former FIFA boss in PhotoÂ
The President of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), Isha Johansen has been picked up by agents of the anti-corruption body in Sierra Leone.
Confirming the arrest, according to sources in Freetown is the Chair of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Ardy Macauley.
The ACC announced on Wednesday the start of “Operation Thunderbolt” which aims to “rout and bring to justice” people alleged to have been involved in corrupt acts and have been under the watch of the anti-graft agency.
Football Sierra Leone understands Johansen, 51, who was elected president of the Sierra Leone Football Association unopposed on 3 August 2013, was arrested together with the FA’s Vice-President Brima Mazola Kamara and Secretary General Chris Kamara.
Johansen’s arrest came a day after returning from Ivory Coast where she attended the Leone Stars Africa Cup of Nation’s 2017 final qualifying match last Saturday at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake, Ivory Coast.
The arrested persons have been detained for alleged misappropriation of funds at the CID headquarter in Freetown.
Officials of the football’s FA are unavailable to comment.
We will endeavour to bring out more on this development as we get them.
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Sierra Leone | Highlights -Â