SLFA Begins Investigation as FA Cup Quarter-Final Between Star Sports And East End Lions Ends in Chaos
Bernice Bangura The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) has strongly condemned the violent clashes that led to the premature termination of Sunday’s Orange FA Cup quarter-final match between Star Sports Academy and East End Lions.
The match, held at the SLFA Academy Field in Freetown, was abandoned in the 86th minute after supporters reportedly threw stones onto the pitch, prompting security interventions to restore calm. At the time of the disruption, East End Lions were holding a 2-1 lead.
In a press release issued on Monday, the SLFA described the scenes as “disturbing” and pledged swift and decisive action against those responsible.
“Such acts of indiscipline and lawlessness have no place in football,” the statement, signed by Head of Media and Marketing Ibrahim Kamara, read. “The game is built on rules, respect, and sportsmanship, and all participants—players, officials, and supporters alike—are duty-bound to uphold these core principles. Incidents of this nature not only endanger lives but also bring the game into disrepute.”
The football governing body sought to reassure the public and the local football community that a comprehensive investigation into the crowd trouble has already begun.
The SLFA confirmed that “decisive disciplinary action will be taken against all those found culpable in accordance with the Association’s statutes and regulations,” signaling a zero-tolerance approach to the violence that marred the tournament’s quarter-final stage.