Sierra Leone Parliament halts the SLFA Electoral process until further notice. A case for FIFA?

Freetown | 5th February 2021 | Vertex Media

The Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Sports of the Sierra Leone Parliament has instructed the SLFA Electoral Body to “stay action” in their ongoing 2021 electioneering process until the committee concludes its engagement with the football family. This pronouncement was made by the Chairman of the Committee Honourable Alusine Alu Conteh.

Parliament gave this directive during a meeting between SLFA and its electoral body as it looks into an alleged “impasse” on the nomination process for the February 26th and 27th Elective Congress in Makeni City.

Deliberations were made by various stakeholders including the SLFA, Electoral Committee, Appeals Committee, the Ministry of Sports, NSA, and others. At the end of all deliberations, the Parliament Oversight Committee on Sports gave directives to halt the electoral process “until the Committee concluded its engagement with the Football family”, among other directives pronounced.

Can this be termed as political interference in football or not? FIFA, the world football governing body states in its rules that government or political interference in the game or administration of football is unacceptable. What will be the consequences of this action by the Sierra Leone Parliament, will FIFA do the needful?