Luawa FC’s Head Coach, Sebastian Bowels, launched a scathing critique of the refereeing standards in the Sierra Leone Premier League, known as the Leone Rock Premier League, following their recent match against Kholifa Stars.

The frustration stemmed from Luawa FC’s crushing 4-0 defeat by Kholifa Stars during the ongoing Leone Rock Premier League season.

Bowels voiced his dissatisfaction, stating, “The refereeing was poor in our match against Kholifa Stars, and it’s been a recurring issue throughout the league. I’ve been highlighting this for quite some time. The referees in this league need to elevate their standards; otherwise, the progress of this league will stagnate. It’s becoming a joke league.”

He emphasized the crucial role of refereeing standards in the league’s success, asserting, “No matter how pristine the pitch may be, if the refereeing standards are subpar, it undermines the integrity of the matches. These individuals shouldn’t even be officiating Division 2 matches; they belong in community leagues, not in Premier League fixtures.”

Bowels also pointed out the absence of Sierra Leonean referees in Confederation of African Football (CAF) competitions, attributing it to the insufficient investment in referee coaching and education. He urged for significant improvements in this aspect to raise the refereeing standards within the league.

Additionally, reflecting on Luawa FC’s recent performance, the team’s statistics over their last six matches paint a challenging picture: three losses and three draws.