The Ethics Board of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) is set to probe the President of the SLFA Thomas Daddy Brima for allegedly participating in a political function in Sierra Leone, thereby breaching the ethics codes, regulations, and statutes of the SLFA.
In a letter in circulation on social media, dated 11th May 2023, the Ethics Board headed by Lawyer Drucil Taylor referenced a video where the SLFA boss was seen participating in the nomination of the SLPP flag bearer at the Attouga Stadium on the 2nd May 2023. The Board says his action amounts to a breach of Article 5 (1), (2), (3), (4), (7), and Article 6 (1) of the Ethics Code and Regulations 2020 edition and Article 3 of the SLFA Statutes. Mr. Brima is expected to provide a written explanation within 72 hours, failing to do so, the Board can suspend him from the SLFA Executive.
Meanwhile, sources also revealed that two other Executive Committee members of SLFA have received the same inquiry letter from the Ethics Board for their alleged involvement in national politics, thereby breaching SLFA’s ethics codes and regulations. The two exco members are the 2nd Vice President Alie Badara Tarawally and Executive Committee member Lawyer Kweku Lisk.
It is worthy of note that FIFA, CAF, and SLFA have zero tolerance for political interference in football, and football administrators are barred from participating in politics.
As a well-constituted body, with powers from FIFA to uphold the integrity of the game, the Ethics Board has the authority to probe into such allegations and eventually punish anyone found guilty of such allegations.
According to the SLFA code of ethics states,
Article 6 of the SLFA Ethics Code and Regulation:
Conduct towards government and private organizations
1. In dealing with government institutions, national and international
organizations, associations, and groupings, officials and or persons shall, in addition to observing the basic rules of art. 3, remain politically neutral, by the principles and objectives of FIFA, CAF, SLFA, the organization, associations, leagues, and clubs, and generally act in a manner compatible with their function and integrity.
SLFA RULES OF CONDUCT
Article 5. Conflicts of interest
1. Before being elected or appointed, officials and or persons or
persons shall disclose any personal interests that could be linked with
their prospective function.
2. Officials and or persons and or Persons bound by this code shall not perform their duties (in particular, preparing or participating in the taking of a decision) in situations in which an existing or potential conflict of interest might affect such performance.
3. A conflict of interest arises if a person bound by this code has, or appears to have a secondary interest that could influence his ability to perform his duties with integrity independently and purposefully. Secondary interests include but are not limited to, gaining any possible
the advantage for the persons bound by this code themselves or related parties as defined in this code.
4. While performing their duties, officials and or persons shall avoid any situation that could lead to conflicts of interest. Conflicts of interest arise if officials and or persons and or persons have, or appear to have, private or personal interests that detract from their ability to perform their duties as officials and or persons with integrity independently and purposefully.
5. Private or personal interests include gaining any possible advantage for himself, his family, relatives, friends, and acquaintances.
6. Officials and or persons may not perform their duties in cases with an existing or potential conflict of interest. Any such conflict shall be immediately disclosed and notified to the organization for which the official and or person performs his duties.
7. Persons bound by this Code shall not perform their duties (in particular preparing, or participating in, the taking of a decision) in situations in which there is a danger that a conflict of interest might affect such
performance. Any such conflict shall be immediately disclosed and notified to the organization for which the person bound by this code performs his duties.
8. If an objection is made concerning an official’s and or person’s existing or potential conflict of interest, it shall be reported immediately to the organization for which the official performs his duties.
9. The deciding authority of the relevant organization shall decide on such conflicts of interest.
10. Violation of this article shall be sanctioned with an appropriate fine of at least Le5, 000,000 (Five Million Leones) as well as a ban on taking part in any football-related activity for a maximum of two years. In serious cases and/or in the case of repetition, a ban on taking part in any football-related activity may be pronounced for a maximum of five years.
