CAS Upholds SLFA Ethics Board Decision in Aminata Bangura Case
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has dismissed an appeal filed by Sierra Leonean football administrator Aminata Bangura against a decision of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) Ethics Board.
In an Arbitral Award issued on 5 October 2026, Sole Arbitrator Mark Andrew Hovell upheld the SLFA Ethics Board’s decision of 19 July 2025, which had been challenged by Bangura following the 2025 SLFA electoral process.
The dispute arose during preparations for the SLFA Ordinary Elective Congress held on 2 August 2025, when candidates seeking elective positions were subjected to integrity checks by the SLFA Ethics Board.
According to the Arbitral Award, Bangura, who had applied to contest the position of SLFA President, submitted her nomination documents, including a police clearance certificate.
Concerns were subsequently raised over the authenticity and validity of the certificate, prompting the Ethics Board to conduct further inquiries with the Sierra Leone Police.
Following its investigations, the SLFA Ethics Board issued its decision on 19 July 2025. Bangura subsequently appealed the decision to CAS on 24 July 2025.
After reviewing the evidence and submissions presented by both parties, CAS dismissed the appeal and upheld the decision of the SLFA Ethics Board.
The tribunal also ordered Bangura to bear the full costs of the arbitration proceedings and to pay CHF 3,000 towards the SLFA’s legal costs and expenses.
The arbitration was conducted under the seat of Lausanne, Switzerland, with the 5 October 2026 Arbitral Award bringing the proceedings before CAS to a conclusion.
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