In a press release issued on August 11th, 2024, the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) firmly refuted allegations leveled against Mogbwemo Queens, the reigning female league champions of Sierra Leone, by Determine Girls, a Liberian female football club.

These allegations suggested that Mogbwemo Queens orchestrated an attack on Determine Girls at their shared hotel in Bo City, using armed men.

The SLFA described the claims as “baseless and untrue,” clarifying that the tension arose from a misunderstanding rather than a premeditated attack. According to the SLFA, the rumors originated from an incident where Determine Girls reportedly felt uneasy due to the presence of Mogbwemo Queens supporters in the hotel corridors.

The situation escalated after Mogbwemo Queens accused officials from Determine Girls of placing black magic symbols in front of their doors before matches, a claim that added to the mounting tensions between the teams.

Despite the heated situation, the SLFA emphasized that no armed forces were involved. When authorities were called to assess the situation, they found no evidence supporting the claims of an armed attack. However, five Mogbwemo Queens supporters were taken into custody as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of all involved.

In its press release, the SLFA urged all parties to remember the unifying nature of football, emphasizing the historical bond of brotherhood and sisterhood between Sierra Leone and Liberia. The association called for a renewed focus on the spirit of fair play, encouraging teams and supporters to set aside distractions and concentrate on the sport.

“Let us focus on the beautiful game and leave behind these unfounded distractions,” the SLFA stated, reinforcing the importance of maintaining sportsmanship throughout the ongoing CAF Women’s Champions League Qualifiers.