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The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) Premier League Board Emergency Disciplinary and Protests Committee has ruled that Diamond Stars FC fielded ineligible players in their match against Mighty Blackpool FC held on 31st July 2025.
The ruling follows a protest lodged by Mighty Blackpool FC, which challenged the eligibility of players Ishmeal Jalloh and Ibrahim Souri Mansaray.
Both players were found to have participated in the match after the close of the second phase of the transfer window, which ended on 17th April 2025, making them unregistered and ineligible under Rule 11.1 (a) & (b) of the Sierra Leone Premier League Board 2023 Rules and Regulations.
During the preliminary hearings on 17th August 2025, Diamond Stars FC raised concerns about the short notice of the protest hearing and claimed they were not properly served with the formal protest letter. Mighty Blackpool FC countered, stating that the nominal protest was filed on the day of the match and that the formal protest was sent via email on 3rd August 2025.
After reviewing the evidence and relying on previous rulings regarding player eligibility, the Committee concluded that both players were not duly registered at the time of the match and, therefore, were unqualified to participate.
Decision and Penalties:
Diamond Stars FC is ordered to forfeit 3 points in relation to the match.
Mighty Blackpool FC is awarded 3 points and 2 goals for the fixture.
The decision, dated 21st August 2025, underscores the SLFA’s commitment to upholding the rules and regulations of the Premier League and ensuring fair play and proper registration of players across all clubs.
