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The Sierra Leone Premier League Board has handed a six match ban to Freetonians SLIFA CEO, Benjamin Gordon for misconduct.
The Board’s Emergency Disciplinary and Protests Committee found Gordon culpable of match disruption and “unsporting behaviour” when he invaded the pitch in their match against FC Kallon earlier this week.
“Mr. Gordon was found guilty of unsporting behaviour, including physical contact with an FC Kallon player and engaging in a brawl with the visiting team’s goalkeeper coach,” the Board said.
They added that Gordon’s actions led to the “abrupt end of the match”.
As a form of punishment and deterrence, the Board issued a six match ban to Gordon erasable by Le 3,000 fine.
The CEO’s action also led to SLIFA forfeiting the match to FC Kallon by two goals.
The Board said their decision is hinged on their resolve to “upholding discipline and promoting safe, respectful environment for football” in the West African country.
The Board’s action came hours after public outcry from spectators who were at the Approved School Grounds when the brawl started.
However, SLIFA’s management defended their CEO stating that they faced “brutality and violence” during the said match.
“The management of SLIFA wants to make it emphatically clear that our Chairman/Technical Adviser never interrupted or put a stop to the said match as was circulated on social media by some detractors,” SLIFA said.
They denied any physical contact between Gordon and an FC Kallon player during the match adding that he was falsely accused.
The incident left a glaring reminder for adequate security presence in the remaining matches of the Leone Rock Premier League. Some fans are predicting that there would be a recurrence especially in derby matches.
