SLFA Suspends Referee Over Controversial Penalty Decision

The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) has suspended referee Shekita Deen Conteh for three months following a review of a controversial penalty decision during a league match between Luawa FC and Wilberforce Strikers FC.

According to a press release issued by the SLFA Referees Committee, the decision was reached after a detailed review of the match report and available video footage from the fixture played on 28th February 2026 at the Approved School Mini Stadium.

The committee found that the referee incorrectly awarded a penalty to Wilberforce Strikers during the match. After assessing the incident, officials concluded that the defender’s hand was in a natural position and that there was no movement that made the player’s body unnaturally bigger, which meant the decision did not align with the Laws of the Game.

Based on these findings, the Referees Committee ruled that the penalty decision was inconsistent with the rules governing handball situations.

As a result, referee Shekita Deen Conteh has been suspended from officiating for three months with immediate effect.

The committee also directed the referee to attend a mandatory refresher course during the suspension period as part of the association’s broader efforts to improve refereeing standards and ensure strict adherence to the Laws of the Game.

The SLFA Referees Committee reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the integrity of football officiating in Sierra Leone and promoting continuous professional development for referees across all competitions.