By Jaward Kallay
The Western Area Football Association (WAFA) has banned Premier league players from taking part in six aside mini leagues. The ban comes following the spotting of at least three Premier League Players in the opening fixture of the Portuguese Town Amateur Football Association football competition.
“All Premier League players are banned from playing six aside league competitions across the Western Region,” WAFA statement reads.
Despite the decision, WAFA gave consolation for teams to use at least three players this season in 11 aside pitches.
“For 11 aside mini leagues, only three premier league players and five division one players will be allowed to play for non-division mini leagues for this season,”
The players include Emmanuel Samadia and top goal scorer Musa Kamara (Musa Tombo). They are players from the top two sides in the country, East End Lions and FC Kallon. The clubs have not responded to the action of the players.
Public Relations Officer of WAFA, David Turner said the decision to ban them from six aside pitches is to safe guard their career and give more opportunity to younger players to come through.
“If you have three premier league players, you have five division one players in a team, the rest will be non-division players. This also sets the platform for non-division players to shine,” Turner said.
Mini leagues have played a key role in keeping football alive. WAFA says this is the only reason why they have giving some consideration. But they say they are determined to enforce an all out ban on premier league players from participating in mini leagues.
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