By Nenneh Fofanah
Freetown, September 1, 2025 – Mighty Blackpool Football Club, one of Sierra Leone’s oldest and most decorated teams, is calling on the Sierra Leone Premier League Board to officially update the league table following a disciplinary ruling that awarded them three points and two goals. The club says the delay is unjust and could wrongly place them in relegation territory.
The dispute stems from a match played on July 31, 2025, between Mighty Blackpool FC and Diamond Stars FC in Koidu, Kono. According to the ruling issued by the Emergency Disciplinary and Protests Committee on August 21, Diamond Stars were found guilty of fielding four ineligible, unqualified, and unregistered players, violating Rule 24.1(f) and Rule 24.2 of the league’s regulations.
The committee, chaired by Lamin M. Baryoh Esq, ordered that Diamond Stars forfeit the match and that Mighty Blackpool be awarded three points and two goals. However, despite the ruling being made public, the Leone Rock Premier League Board has yet to reflect the changes in the official league standings.
“This ruling should have moved us to 11th place with 43 points, safely out of relegation,” said Ibrahim Sahid Sankoh, Public Relations Officer of Mighty Blackpool FC. “But the board is still holding back, and we don’t understand why.”
Sankoh detailed the events leading up to the protest. “During the inspection before the match, we noticed four Diamond Stars players didn’t have life cards, which are mandatory for player verification. We raised the issue, but they insisted on using them. We took photos and videos for evidence and submitted everything to the disciplinary committee, along with the protest fee. We lost the match 2–0, but the facts were clear.”
He added that the club received notice of an emergency hearing on August 17, but Diamond Stars failed to attend. “We presented our case, and the ruling was sent to the Premier League Board Chairman, Justice Mark Ngegba, who delayed its release until August 23, the day we played Wilberforce Strikers—a match we won 1–0.”
Sankoh accused Justice Ngegba of bias against Mighty Blackpool, citing a previous dispute in 2023 over the ownership of player Mohamed Alie Conteh. “Back then, he ruled against us as chairman of the disciplinary committee. We appealed, and the decision was overturned. Now he’s Premier League chairman, and it feels like he’s trying to settle old scores.”
Despite the tension, Sankoh emphasized that Mighty Blackpool is not seeking conflict. “We just want justice. Our fans should know we are not relegated. We are safe, and they should continue to believe in the leadership of Rodney Michael.”
Founded in 1923 as Socro United and renamed Mighty Blackpool in 1954, the club represents the West End of Freetown and boasts 15 Premier League titles and 4 FA Cups. As the season nears its end, the club insists that the integrity of the league depends on fair and timely enforcement of its own rules. If internal redress fails, Sankoh says they may seek intervention from FIFA.
