Freetown, Sierra Leone – In a major win for Sierra Leone’s football scene, the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) revealed on Monday that FIFA has fully removed all monetary restrictions that had been hampering the federation’s access to crucial development funds.
The announcement came during a media briefing in the capital, where SLFA’s Acting Secretary General, Mohamed Benson Bawoh, shared that the international football authority had ended the sanctions effective January 19, 2026. This move reinstates complete financial backing, enabling the SLFA to ramp up efforts in building a stronger football ecosystem nationwide.
Bawoh highlighted the significance of the decision, saying, “FIFA’s action reinstates our full eligibility for support, letting us prioritize the enhancement of football frameworks throughout Sierra Leone.”
The sanctions, which included a 20% reduction in funding, were first enacted in July 2025 amid a controversy involving the relegation of Mighty Blackpool from the Leone Rock Premier League. The club appealed to FIFA, which sided with them, leading to the temporary financial oversight on the SLFA.
Such measures are not uncommon, as FIFA has previously applied similar penalties to federations in countries like Jamaica, Bangladesh, and Kenya over issues related to internal governance, external meddling, or fiscal transparency. These are typically rescinded once the federations resolve the underlying problems and align with FIFA’s standards.
With the restrictions now gone, Sierra Leone regains unrestricted participation in the FIFA Forward Development Programme. This initiative funds key areas such as building sports facilities, organizing local leagues, bolstering national squads, advancing women’s football, technical training, and day-to-day management.
Adding to the positive momentum, the SLFA disclosed plans to significantly hike annual grants to regional football bodies, boosting them from $15,000 to $50,000 per association to foster grassroots initiatives.
Bawoh described the developments as “a fresh start for Sierra Leonean football,” underscoring how the renewed resources will fast-track youth academies, upgrade venues, and elevate both the men’s and women’s international teams.
