Sierra Leone’s Football Association (SLFA) is facing a crisis of credibility following a report by the Transition Committee that exposed widespread governance and financial failures within the organization.
The committee, set up following the August 2 Elective Congress, found that SLFA’s governance structures are unreliable, its financial records incomplete, and its administrative systems too weak to meet FIFA and CAF standards.
Key revelations include an unaccounted NLe 720 million government grant withdrawn in 2019, procurement irregularities, and a $100,000 bus contract in which only half of the vehicles were delivered. The long-delayed FIFA Technical Centre, valued at $527,000, also remains unfinished despite most of the contract sum already paid.
The report highlighted safeguarding failures, including an unresolved case of alleged sexual abuse of a minor on SLFA premises, and noted that women make up less than 15 percent of staff, violating the GEWE Act’s 30 percent quota.
Competitions and refereeing structures were also found wanting. Referee training programs, funded annually by FIFA, have stalled, and the 2025 promotion and relegation process collapsed, sparking protests and undermining the league’s integrity.
The committee urged urgent reforms like enforcing routine audits, publishing a national competitions calendar, strengthening HR policies, rebuilding revenue streams, and improving coordination with the Ministry of Sports and the National Sports Authority.
“FIFA and CAF support remains available, but inefficiencies, weak capacity, and lack of a clear plan reduce its impact and raise compliance risks,” the report warned.
If acted upon, the recommendations could restore accountability and position the SLFA to better serve clubs, players, and fans while securing international support for long-term football development.
