By Alpha Abu
The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) has lost its appeal against the decision by the AFCON Organizing Committee to have Leone Stars match against Benin postponed to the international window in June.
The CAF Appeal Board in its ruling said the football authorities in Sierra Leone had promised the visitors that their test results would be available four hours before kick-off in their match last month, but were instead informed about the covid-19 positive results of five of their players. The Benin delegation never got any printed copy of the results but a manuscript bearing the names of the players, the board’s statement claimed.
The board said the “burden of proof to provide the personalised Lab test results for the Beninese team falls on the appellant as per article 57 of CAF’s Disciplinary Code”, and that the “Organising Committee’s decision is therefore justified by SLFA’s breach of the covid-19 protocol’’. In rejecting the appeal, the board said it lacked substance and again confirmed the June date.
The crucial match for the second qualifying spot in the group stage of the African Cup of Nations qualifier that was to have played in Freetown on the 30 March 2021, ended in controversy after the other Benin players refused to play because five of their players including the first choice goalkeeper were said to have tested positive in Freetown of the corona virus.
The visiting side questioned the authenticity of the test results, then refused to play and immediately boarded their special flight and headed home. The Organising Committee of AFCON then ordered that the match be rescheduled to coincide with the FIFA approved week of international football matches in June. SLFA swiftly filed an appeal over the decision. They wanted the Beninese to forfeit the points. Leone Stars must beat the Squirrels by a two goal margin to make through to the continental tournament to be hosted by Cameroon later in the year. Leone Stars made their first ever two Nations Cup appearances in 1994 and 1996.
Copyright © 2021 Politico Online 28/04/21)
