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Mighty Blackpool F.C. has retained an international sports lawyer to challenge what it describes as “gross injustice” by the Sierra Leone Premier League Board (SLPLB), following a ruling dispute that has left the club listed as relegated for the 2024/25 season.
The move comes after months of unresolved grievances and alleged procedural lapses. The club says the legal expert will guide its case under the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) Disciplinary Code and work through football’s governance mechanisms to secure enforcement of decisions already issued in its favor.
In a statement, Mighty Blackpool stressed that the action is not an attempt to gain preferential treatment or discredit national authorities. “We are fighting a just cause to protect the integrity of the Premier League and ensure fair play in football,” the statement read. “Our goal is to prevent individuals and groups from violating statutes, rules, and regulations with impunity.”
The dispute centers on an August 21, 2025 ruling by the SLPLB’s Emergency Disciplinary and Protest Committee. The committee upheld Blackpool’s protest against the ineligibility of Diamond Stars players Ishmael Jalloh and Ibrahim Sourie and ordered three points and two goals awarded to Blackpool while deducting the same from Diamond Stars.
According to Blackpool, this decision was posted on the Premier League Forum on August 23 but was not reflected in the official final league table published a day later. The table showed Mighty Blackpool relegated, despite the disciplinary ruling.
The club also noted that Diamond Stars had previously been sanctioned for similar violations in a May 11, 2025 fixture against Star Sports F.C., reinforcing their claim that the issue is part of a wider pattern of regulatory breaches.
Blackpool executives say they have appealed to multiple authorities including the SLFA Competitions Committee, the SLFA Executive Committee, the National Sports Authority, and the Ministry of Sports but have received no resolution.
“Justice is priceless and must never be compromised,” the club said, adding that its actions are in the long-term interest of Sierra Leonean football. Citing the principle that “injustice to anyone is injustice to everyone,” the club emphasized its commitment to upholding fair play standards.
By hiring an international sports lawyer, Mighty Blackpool has signaled its determination to pursue the matter through formal channels and to ensure that disciplinary decisions are respected in domestic football administration.
