By Chernor Alimamy Kmara
The Union of Premier League Clubs in Sierra Leone (UPLC-SL) has urged the Secretary General of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), Chris Kamara to adhere to the prescribed sanctions levied on him and within the stipulated time frame.
This came after the Premier League Disciplinary and Protest Committee imposed a fine against him for attacking and insulting the center referee in the match between FC Johansen and Bo Rangers on the 25th February, 2023.
According to the UPLC, the incident saw a referee being hit by FC Johansen supporters, led by Kamara as a result of which he sustained an injury on his left eye.
The union noted that upon the publication of the aforementioned committee’s report, the SLFA General Secretary in a press release dated 31st March 2023 requested for disciplinary report and retraction of what he described as a defamatory comment, disregarding the jurisdiction of the Premier League Board (PLB) committee’s decision against his person and further bringing the entire body and game into an absolute disrepute.
The union told Kamara that the SLFA executive appointed the PLB with exclusive rights to organize the premier league as contained in its Rules and Regulation.
Also, on the aspect of the PLB lacking jurisdiction, as claimed by Kamara, they referred him to see Articles 6.1 and 6.4 of the Premier League Rules and Regulations of 2009 which reads; ”The Executive Committee shall delegate the entire control and management of the National Premier League to the League Board of the SLFA.”
”Where any matter is not specifically mentioned in these Rules and Regulations the Premier League Board shall have the power to take such action and impose penalties as it deem necessary,” Article 6.4 reads.
Both articles are said to represent control and exclusive jurisdiction of the PLB. They confirmed that the decision of the PLB is in no way defamatory.
UPLC said the SLFA scribe does not even understand the laws governing the game but similarly putting the integrity of the PLB into the mud, and to every extent bringing the beautiful game into total disrepute.
The UPLC pointed out that the PLB was in no violation of the law but rather acting within its jurisdiction and mandate.
“He should respect the fundamental principle of “equality before the law”, devoid of color, position or any other. Thus no one is above the law,” said UPLC.
Kamara was branded as disrespectful to the PLB and clubs and that they need not remind him that, club Chairmen/CEOs had always conformed to same committee sanctions, including suspensions, fines and point deduction respectively.
They also urged him to reinstate the respect and integrity of the PLB, the league and by extension the eighteen clubs, in tendering a formal apology. They further called for his suspension from all duties of the FA until some other time if at all, when he properly understands the law and procedures of the game.
The UPLC noted that, if he fails to adhere to the sanctions levied against him, it will leave clubs with no better options than to put hold on the league. They said, clubs cannot participate in a tainted and shredded league to which its integrity is questioned and brought into an absolute disrepute by the SLFA General Secretary.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (12/04/23)
