The High Court of Sierra Leone has dealt a significant blow to the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) by upholding an injunction that halts its planned Ordinary Congress. The legal challenge, spearheaded by Tamba G. Gbetuwa, Chairman of the Moyamba District Football Association, has ignited a fierce debate over governance and accountability within Sierra Leone’s football leadership.
In a decisive ruling, the court dismissed the SLFA’s argument that the dispute should be resolved internally through the association’s mechanisms. Instead, it affirmed its jurisdiction to hear the matter, citing Article 1 of the SLFA Constitution, which recognises the association as a corporate entity subject to legal proceedings.
Key Highlights from the Court’s Ruling:
1. The SLFA’s petition, filed on November 27, 2024, was dismissed.
2. The injunction issued on November 25, 2024, remains in effect until further notice.
3. The substantive case will be heard and resolved promptly.
4. SLFA has been ordered to bear costs in the cause.
The court emphasised the importance of judicial oversight in ensuring that internal disputes do not deny aggrieved members access to legal remedies. It further ruled that interpreting and enforcing Article 26 of the SLFA Constitution—central to Gbetuwa’s complaint—falls squarely within the judiciary’s purview.
Leadership Crisis or Power Struggle?
Observers have criticised the SLFA’s petition as a deliberate attempt by the association’s leadership to sideline certain candidates ahead of the upcoming SLFA Congress. Aruna Sesay, a football enthusiast in Freetown, described the situation as “unfortunate,” calling for immediate reforms within the SLFA.
“We are a football-loving nation, and we are tired of stagnating,” Sesay stated. “It’s time for new management to restore sanity in our local league and help us qualify for the African Nations Cup and the World Cup.”
What’s Next?
This ruling underscores the High Court’s role in ensuring accountability and adherence to constitutional obligations within the SLFA. The substantive case is set to be heard in the coming weeks, with widespread implications for the future of football governance in Sierra Leone.
As tensions rise, many football enthusiasts hope this legal battle will usher in a new era of transparency and leadership to revitalise Sierra Leone’s football dreams.
