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East End Lions Football Club has announced a strict ban on its registered players participating in community and mini leagues, introducing a zero-tolerance policy that could see offenders face disciplinary action up to and including termination of their contracts.
The decision was made public in a press release issued on April 15, 2026, following a meeting held at Trade Center Field, where Club Chairman Ambassador Anthony Navo Jnr addressed the full squad, technical team, and administrative staff.
According to the club, the move is aimed at protecting players and safeguarding the club’s investment, amid concerns over injuries and contractual breaches linked to participation in unofficial competitions.
“Let me be absolutely clear: this must stop now,” Ambassador Navo Jnr said in the statement. “East End Lions FC has invested significantly in every player on this squad, and we will not stand by while that investment is jeopardised by unauthorised participation in community leagues.”
He added that any player found violating this directive “will face immediate and severe disciplinary action, up to and including termination of contract.”
The club emphasized that participation in such leagues directly contravenes the terms of players’ contracts and exposes them to unnecessary injury risks. It also warned of the financial implications for the club when players sustain injuries in unregulated matches.
In addition to enforcing internal measures, East End Lions FC confirmed it has formally written to the Sierra Leone Football Association and the Western Area Football Association, urging both bodies to implement regulations that would prohibit Premier League-registered players from competing in community and mini leagues.
The club called for “binding directives, clear sanctions, and a joint enforcement mechanism” to ensure compliance across the league.
Despite the crackdown, the club reiterated its support for grassroots football development, noting that community leagues were originally intended to nurture young talent rather than involve top-tier professional players.
East End Lions FC also appealed to supporters, sponsors, and other stakeholders to back the initiative, stating that the policy is necessary to maintain professionalism and protect the integrity of the game.
The announcement marks a significant shift in the club’s stance, signaling what officials described as the end of leniency on the issue.
