SLFA 2025 Report Unveils Governance and Financial Crises Threatening Sierra Leone's Football Future

SLFA 2025 Report Unveils Governance and Financial Crises Threatening Sierra Leone's Football Future

The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) Transition Committee has handed in their Report of 2025 revealing significant deficiencies in governance, financial management, and operational practices, jeopardizing the sport's integrity and future in Sierra Leone.

The report highlights weak enforcement of statutes, inadequate documentation, and a lack of oversight for major projects, contributing to a severe lack of transparency and accountability.

Financially, the SLFA faces substantial challenges, including delayed audits, disjointed accounts, incomplete asset records, and compromised procurement processes. Notably, Le 720 million from a 2019 government grant remains unaccounted for, and a USD $50,000 deficit persists from a USD $100,000 payment to Tubanda Company for four buses, with only two delivered.

Efforts by a FIFA consultant to implement new financial policies and asset systems have been met with staff resistance.

Furthermore, the SLFA lacks essential gender and safeguarding policies, with an unresolved case of alleged sexual abuse of a minor on its premises. The organization also violates the 30% female workforce requirement due to gender imbalance.

HR and administrative departments are in disarray, characterized by incomplete staff records, poor welfare standards, a lack of organograms, and non-transparent recruitment processes.

Legal and compliance failures are prevalent, including non-compliance with FIFA, CAF, and national laws, unequal pay, "ghost staff," and contract breaches. Refereeing and competition structures are flawed, marked by confused departmental roles, delayed training, and misuse of FIFA training funds.

The absence of a nationwide promotion/relegation process for 2025 and a biased competition structure have led to formal complaints and a decline in playing quality.

In response, the report outlines crucial short-term priorities, including the creation and enforcement of governance, HR, finance, competition, and refereeing policies, alongside fair salaries and regular training.

Medium-term goals focus on completing the Technical Centre, increasing income through sponsorships, and launching structured youth and women's football programs. 

These initiatives aim to establish transparent management systems, enhance stakeholder support, ensure compliance with international regulations to prevent penalties, and effectively utilize FIFA and CAF resources for sustainable football development.