- Prominent football philanthropist and seasoned administrator, Rodney Michael, who a few weeks ago declared to contest the Presidency of the Sierra Leone Football Association, has been ‘CLEARED’ of match-fixing following a lengthy investigation.
Most notable, the match-fixing inquiry includes a World Cup qualifier between Sierra Leone and South Africa that ended goalless in Atteridgeville, South Africa, in June 2008.
The Committee says, having reviewed the evidence analysis in the report aforementioned, they have concluded that there is not enough evidence to sustain the allegation.
“These persons are therefore unequivocally discharged of all allegations of match-fixing against them by the Ministry of Sports and the Sierra Leone Football Association.”
Among those cleared were two former internationals and five officials. They are Motala AIF defender Ibrahim Koroma, former U17 skipper Samuel Barlay, East End Tigers owner Victor Lewis, Abdul Kanasiue Rollings, Rodney Michael, Alphan Koker, and Bernard Sorbeh.
However, former Sierra Leone skipper Ibrahim Kargbo, and former Administrator Abu Bakarr Kabba, including seven others, are still facing an investigation by the Committee.
It is worth mentioning that in 2019, former SLFA Administrative Secretary, Abu Bakarr Kabba was banned by Fifa for five years with a fined of US$50,000 while former Sierra Leone captain Ibrahim Kargbo booted with a life ban.
Meanwhile, In 2013, Rodney Michael and Sierra Leone superstar Mohamed Kallon were among those disqualified from contesting the SLFA presidential election.
As a result, Isha Johansen, who now doubles as CAF Executive Council member, went unopposed to become the first female president of the SLFA.
Rodney Michael remains the most revered and popular football administrator in the country. His exoneration has placed him in good footing ahead of the next SLFA’s elective congress.
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