By Chernor Alimamy Kamara
Members of the National Football Referees Organization have put on hold their officiating of all FC Kallon games involving both the male and female teams with immediate effect.
This was disclosed in a press release issued by the referees on the 20th January, 2023.
Owner of the two affected clubs, Mohamed Kallon had a post on his Facebook page dated 17th January, 2023 lambasting referees in the country. Kallon’s post in Krio alleged that a certain referee told him that even if he acquired a PHD in coaching, he would never win a match he (referee) will be officiating.
The referees said it was not the first time the former Leone Stars captain was putting up such behavior against match officials. They alleged he slapped a female Referee Assessor, Zainab A. Wilson on the 27th November, 2022 at the Police Field in Kingtom.
According to the referees, they reported the incident to the appropriate authorities, but said no action was taken against Kallon and not even a notice was sent to the organization acknowledging receipt of the letter. They have vowed to boycott all FC Kallon’s matches, until the right thing was done.
In another matter, the Women’s Premier League Board (WPLB)
addressed a letter to the Team Manager of FC Kallon citing a violent incident that involved the owner and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the club which took place during a match between female sides Sierra Leone Police and FC Kallon on the 27th November 2022.
It pointed out that, Mohamed was not part of the technical team for the said match, nor was he registered as part of the technical team for the league.
The notice stated that based on the report they received from the Match Commissioner, the Kallon team refused to continue the second half of the match on the instruction from the club’s officials.
The WLPB therefore resolved to award three points and two goals to the Police team referencing its rules and regulations.
The Board in the notice condemned all forms of violence and urged club officials to conduct themselves in a professional and respectable manner. Aggrieved club officials or owners were also urged to follow due process.
However the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) in a public notice on the 20th January, 2023 condemned the action of the referees, saying they have a body designated to look at personal grievances and that the referees should not have gone that far.
SLFA assured football loving fans that it will look into the matter.
Copyright © 2023 Politico Online (23/01/23)
