FIFA has issued a strict warning to the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) over a High Court injunction preventing the association from holding its Ordinary Congress on November 30, 2024.
The global football governing body expressed concern that the court’s intervention violates its statutes and could lead to SLFA’s suspension.
In a letter addressed to the SLFA, FIFA highlighted its statutes prohibiting member associations from seeking recourse to ordinary courts for resolving internal disputes, except under specific circumstances allowed by FIFA regulations or national legal mandates. The letter referenced Article 51 of the FIFA Statutes, which mandates that disputes be resolved through arbitration tribunals, including the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne.
FIFA reiterated that the SLFA Statutes (2019 edition) align with these principles, requiring disputes to be resolved internally or through CAS. It emphasized that the autonomy of the SLFA must be respected, as stipulated in Articles 14 and 19 of the FIFA Statutes, which prohibit undue third-party interference in the governance of member associations.
The global body warned that violations of its statutes, even if caused by external parties, could result in SLFA’s suspension. Such a measure would effectively isolate Sierra Leone from international football activities, including participation in tournaments and access to FIFA resources.
FIFA has urged the SLFA to provide updates on developments related to the injunction and stressed the importance of adhering to its regulations to safeguard the association’s autonomy.