by FSL News | 26 Sep, 2018 | African News
Dakar-born Lyon’s midfielder, Pape Cheikh Diop, (pictured) has pledged his international loyalty to Spain over his birthplace Senegal.
The 21-year-old Dakar-born midfielder has confirmed he has been invited a few times in the past by the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) to play for the Teranga Lions.
“I have been called by Senegal several times, but I remain committed to Spain,” Pape Cheikh told Spanish sports newspaper Marca.
“Of course, I can never forget my origin, I am Senegalese, but I also feel Spanish.”
“Spain has given me everything and I want to give back in return. I am very happy with the decision I’ve made.”
Under Fifa rules, he can still switch allegiances because he is yet to play a competitive match for Spain’s senior side.
He moved to Spain age 14 and helped them to European under-19 success in 2015 as well as played for the under-21s.
The midfielder has impressed for Lyon in the French Ligue 1 and Champions League for Lyon, who beat Man City at the Etihad last week.
He progressed to Celta’s senior side and made his debut in December 2015, where a goal in 27 appearances led to a move to Lyon last summer.
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by FSL News | 23 Sep, 2018 | Players Abroad News
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A search for a new club is underway for Sierra Leone international Mohamed Medo Kamara, after departing Kuwait Sporting Club.
The 30-year old is eager to remain in the Gulf State following his two-year stint with the Kuwait Sporting Club.
Kuwait SC parted ways with the former Bolton midfielder after the club and the player failed to reach an agreement on a new deal.
Although he did not confirm exactly when he departed the club but maintained that, he is in talks with clubs around the Gulf state.
“Yes, my contract with the team has come to an end and I am in negotiation with other clubs but partly around the gulf,” Kamara said.
“I do not want to come back to Europe,” the former Bolton man told Football Sierra Leone.
The former Maccabi Haifa and Helsingin midfielder spent the last two season trading in the Kuwait Viva Premier League.
It is unclear whether Kamara was out of contract and games before he was included in the Sierra Leone side that was defeated 1-0 in Ethiopia in 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign last month at the Hawassa Stadium.
by FSL News | 21 Sep, 2018 | African News
By Sahr Morris follow the writer @morrisjr88
Over the latest international ban warning from FIFA, some Sierra Leoneans have joyfully welcomed the said threat on various social media platforms.
Some are of the opinion that only a ban would help to end the long-lasting impasse in the country’s most followed sport.
Following ACC’s ultimatum that embattled SLFA boss, Isha Johansen and Sec-Gen Christopher Kamara to step aside pending an investigation into abuse of office, public and donor funds charges.
FIFA has requested the SLFA to provide a detailed report on the current situation by no later than Monday 24 September.
“Recent developments, if confirmed, would most likely constitute an undue interference in the affairs of the SLFA and would, therefore, have to be brought to the attention of the Bureau of the FIFA Council for consideration of sanctions, including the immediate suspension of the SLFA.”
However, after news of the international ban and immediate suspension broke in Sierra Leone, some Sierra Leoneans took to social media to welcome the news.
Popular editor, Thomas Dixon reacted: “If it’s for me, let FIFA ban us”
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Dixon’s comment was supported by Bockarie Sama Banya, a Sierra Leonean international businessman based in Germany.
Banya said: “Exactly if they call for the arrest and subsequent removal of Spanish FA president, yet they have the guts to dictate to us.”
“Why they never dictate to the FBI?” he asked.
President of Sierra Leone Reporters Union, Amadu Lamaran Bah reckoned: “A Fifa ban will be the best thing to ever happened to Sierra Leone Football, their funds is the main reason why Isha still want to hold on to power and continue to be around to cut off the source of the confusion and let solve our problem in the next two years.”
“The good thing is Sierra Leoneans have agreed for FIFA ban. Besides Cricket and Volleyball will represent us internationally until we fix football problems.”
Bah’s comments were also supported by former Sierra Leone national team striker, Paul Kpaka.
Kpaka vehemently stated, “Best case scenario a FIFA ban can’t be worse than what we have now. Playing in international competitions which have been nothing but abysmal for our nationals.
“Let the ban be imposed, we will go back to the drawing board, restructuring of football administration, concentrate on our local league and rebuild for the future.”
Former SLFA Media and communication man, John Konteh noted: “FIFA directives are not Sacrosanct as long as you are able to provide enough justification to tell them what they asked.
Read More…
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by FSL News | 21 Sep, 2018 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
The writer @bittar32 – Contact bi****@*********************ne.net
Sierra Leone Anti-Corruption Commissioner boss, Francis Ben Kaifala says ‘the country’s laws must be upheld though the heavens may fall’.
Ben’s comments come in the wake of Fifa threats to sanction Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) with a ban following Tuesday’s raid on their premises by the anti-graft body.
The 33-year-old Anti-Graft Czar of Sierra Leone posted, “We have survived the war, beat Ebola, united against storm and rains. Our hearts are etched with valour by great forbearers – like Bai Bureh, Sengbeh Pieh, Kai Londo, Ella Gulama.
“We were named “Lion Mountain”, not Sheep Yard! Let our Laws be followed though the heavens may fall,” Ben tweeted.
On Tuesday, officers from the Sierra Leone Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) visited the Sierra Leone Football Association office following a seven-day ultimatum.
On 12 September, the ACC issued instruction via the Sports Ministry that both Isha Johansen and Christopher Kamara to step aside pending an investigation into abuse of office, public and donor funds charges.
“A public officer who is charged with corruption shall be suspended, at half pay, with effect from the date of the charge,” The reminded stated in a letter dated 12 September 2018.”
The ACC’s action was in line with the Commission Act No. 12 of 2008 which state that public officials indicted with corruption charges must be suspended until acquitted or the proceedings against them discontinued.
However, Fifa’s statutes forbid outside third party interference in the running of its members.
“FIFA has requested the SLFA to provide a detailed report on the current situation by no later than Monday 24 September,” a Fifa statement to Football Sierra Leone.
“Recent developments, if confirmed, would most likely constitute an undue interference in the affairs of the SLFA and would, therefore, have to be brought to the attention of the Bureau of the FIFA Council for consideration of sanctions, including the immediate suspension of the SLFA.”
“It was reported to our services that on 18 September, the premises of the SLFA were apparently intruded by the ACC, allegedly with the collaboration of the Ministry of Sports and accompanied by armed forces,” added the letter signed by Fifa Secretary General Fatma Samoura.
After the ACC’s actions in Freetown, the commission handed control of the SLFA to Brimah Kamara with Abdul Rahman Swarray acting as his secretary general.
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by FSL News | 20 Sep, 2018 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
- Fifa has issued a warning to Sierra Leone that the country risks an international ban following the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) visit.
- On Tuesday, officers from the Sierra Leone Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) visited the Sierra Leone Football Association office following a seven-day ultimatum.
On 12 September, the ACC issued instruction via the Sports Ministry that both Isha Johansen and Christopher Kamara to step aside pending an investigation into abuse of office, public and donor funds charges.
The ACC’s latest decision is in line with the Commission Act No. 12 of 2008 which state that public officials indicted with corruption charges must be suspended until acquitted or the proceedings against them discontinued.
“A public officer who is charged with corruption shall be suspended, at half pay, with effect from the date of the charge,” The reminded stated in a letter dated 12 September 2018.”
However, Fifa’s statutes forbid outside third party interference in the running of its members.
“FIFA has requested the SLFA to provide a detailed report on the current situation by no later than Monday 24 September,” a Fifa statement to Football Sierra Leone.
“Recent developments, if confirmed, would most likely constitute an undue interference in the affairs of the SLFA and would, therefore, have to be brought to the attention of the Bureau of the FIFA Council for consideration of sanctions, including the immediate suspension of the SLFA.”
“It was reported to our services that on 18 September, the premises of the SLFA were apparently intruded by the ACC, allegedly with the collaboration of the Ministry of Sports and accompanied by armed forces,” added the letter signed by Fifa Secretary General Fatma Samoura.
After the ACC’s actions in Freetown, the commission handed control of the SLFA to Brimah Kamara with Abdul Rahman Swarray acting as his secretary general.
Follow Us on Twitter @football_sierra on Facebook/Instagram Football Sierra Leone, the writer @bittar32 – Contact bi****@*********************ne.net.
by FSL News | 20 Sep, 2018 | International, National Sport News Sierra Leone
By Prince Armani Scott – follow the writer @PrinceArmaniSc2
Sierra Leone’s current men’s ranking in photo
Sierra Leone have moved further down to 114th position from 111th in the latest FIFA global rankings announced on Thursday 20 September.
The national men’s soccer side suffered a 1 nil defeat in Ethiopia on September 9 at the Hawassa Stadium in the 2019 African Cup of Nations qualifier.
Prior to the Ethiopia defeat, they played to a goalless draw against the Lone Star of Liberia in an International friendly in Monrovia in July.
However, Sierra Leone’s opponents in the race to Cameroon 2019, Ghana down six places to 51st and Kenya, who are the biggest movers now sit 107 after earning 1204 points.
The Harambee Stars victory over the Black Stars in the 2019 African Cup of Nations qualifier, see them moved five places up.
In Africa, Leone Stars is the 28th best team with Tunisia leading the pecking order.
Sierra Leone highest ever rankings came in August 2014, when they were ranked 50th globally.
Meanwhile, Belgium joined the top of the Fifa world rankings alongside World Cup winners France – the first time two teams have shared the top spot.
The only other change in the top 10 sees Denmark drop below Spain into 10th place.
Germany, who fell from first to 15th place in August after their group stage exit from the World Cup, have moved up to 12th.
The rankings were introduced in December 1992.
Belgium beat Iceland in the Nations League and Scotland in a friendly earlier this month, while France beat the Netherlands, but drew 0-0 with Germany in the Nations League.
Global top Ten
1. Belgium 1. France 3. Brazil 4.Croatia 5. Uruguay 6. England
7. Portugal 8.Switzerland 9. Spain 10. Denmark
Africa’s Top Ten
Tunisia (23) Senegal (25) DR Congo (40) Morocco (45) Nigeria (48) Cameroon (50) Ghana (51) Burkina Faso (56) Mali (63) Egypt (64)
Sierra Leone | Highlights -