In a disturbing turn of events, Florence Yata Lebbie became the latest victim of male-perpetrated violence against female football referees in Sierra Leone.
The incident, occurring on Sunday, February 18th, 2024, marks the fourth such attack in less than 10 days, sparking outrage and condemnation nationwide.
The assault took place during a match between Patricia Umu FC and Sierra Leone Police Female Football Team in Kambia.
Lebbie, bravely executing her duties, issued a red card to the Police Team, inciting the fury of senior, heavily built men from the technical team of Sierra Leone Police Female Football Club. The resulting chaos halted the game’s progress.
Critics are pointing fingers at the Maada Bio-led SLPP Government for its perceived inaction in addressing the escalating violence against female referees.
Despite private appeals to government officials, including ministers of sports and gender, for urgent intervention, little action has been taken. The absence of social workers providing psycho-social counseling to victims further highlights the government’s inadequacy in tackling gender-based violence in sports.
Outrage over the incident underscores the urgent need for tangible measures to protect women in various sectors.
Many are calling for more than mere lip service from the government, emphasizing the importance of concrete actions to ensure the safety and well-being of women in sports and beyond.
The assault on Florence Yata Lebbie serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by women in male-dominated spaces and underscores the urgent need for systemic change to ensure their protection and empowerment.
