By Nenneh Fofanah
Freetown, 9th February 2026- The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) may soon face another legal battle as FC Johansen has threatened to escalate a relegation dispute to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA.
Just three weeks after FIFA lifted all financial restrictions on SLFA, the club, owned by former SLFA president and FIFA Council member Isha Johansen, announced plans to challenge what they describe as an unfair demotion from Division One.
FC Johansen, relegated from the Premier League in the 2022/2023 season after finishing 17th, claims their exclusion from the Western Area Football Association (WAFA) “snappy league” was not performance-based but politically motivated.
WAFA officials insist they acted on SLFA directives to reduce Division One teams from 31 to 20. Administrative Secretary James Samuel Esq. explained:
“We issued a press release informing all clubs. Thirty teams participated, but FC Johansen did not show up for any matches.”
In response, FC Johansen’s Head of Administration, James Momorie, accused SLFA and WAFA of failing to communicate:
“We received no calls, no messages, nothing. This was not relegation by performance but by personal reasons.”
Momorie further revealed that during a meeting chaired by SLFA President Babadi Kamara, it was admitted that WAFA had been instructed to organize the shortened competition. He added that Johansen herself contacted Kamara, who reportedly said he did not recognize the “snappy league” and promised to investigate.
The club has since filed an appeal with SLFA, demanding a review of the matter. They claim WAFA used the wrong contact number, belonging to Luawa FC, when attempting to reach them. After receiving no timely response, FC Johansen escalated the issue to the Minister of Sports and now plans to take the case to CAF and FIFA.
If international football bodies rule in Johansen’s favor, SLFA could face fines, suspensions, or loss of funding. The club could regain full membership rights, overturn disciplinary actions, and potentially receive compensation for damages.
