The Sierra Leone Premier League Board has postponed the ongoing League following NaCOVERC’s press release stating that sporting activities to be held behind closed doors. This came just a day after a massive parade and welcoming celebrations of the Leone Stars delegation after their qualification for the 2021 AFCON finals.

Playing behind closed doors will definitely paralyze the Premier clubs that have to pay players plus other running costs. The clubs in response to the government’s decision have decided to postpone the League indefinitely.

This also means that the Head Coach of Leone Stars will not have the opportunity to scout more local players as he prepares for the 2021 AFCON finals in Cameroon.

Here is the press release from the Sierra Leone Premier League Board below:

Sierra Leone Premier League Board
C/O 21 Battery Steet, Kingtom, Freetown.

                               18th June, 2021.

               Press Release

Premier League Board Postpones League Indefinitely

The Premier League Board has resolved to postpone the ongoing Sierra Leone Premier League (SLPL) indefinitely, following a meeting with club officials today in response to the latest Press Release from NaCOVERC dated 17th instant stating, inter alia, that “National Sports Authority designated-activities and competitions shall be held behind closed doors without spectators [and that] only footballers and officials with proof of vaccination will be allowed into the venue [s]”.

Football is nothing without attending fans and the football economy in Sierra Leone is unsustainable without them. Therefore, playing behind closed doors will be tantamount to being complicit in depriving football fans across the country from watching the undoubtedly most popular sporting discipline in the country as well as causing unbearable hardship on the participating clubs.

We, however, intend to engage the health authorities through SLFA, NSA and the Ministry of Sports for a rethink of this decision particularly following our country’s recent qualification for the 2022 African Cup of Nations in which about half of the National Team comprised of players plying their trade in the SLPL.

We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

Signed:
Allieu Vandi Koroma,
Chairman, PLB.