Dylan Bettencourt
The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) have begun investigating the 95-0 and 91-1 victories in the second division.
The second division games involving Kahunla Rangers, Gulf FC, Lumbebu United and Koquima Lebanon saw an astonishing 187 goals scored in two games.
Kahunla defeated Lumbebu United 95-0, and Gulf FC beat Koquima Lebanon 91-1.
The victories became the highest ever recorded in the African nation.
To make matters worse, the half-time scores were 2-0 and 7-1 respectively.
Both games were later in the second-half called off due to suspected match-fixing.
“We can’t stand by and see an embarrassing situation like this go unpunished,” SLFA president Thomas Brima told BBC Sport Africa.
“We’re going to launch an immediate investigation and bring to book all those responsible for this atrocity.”
Brima added that those found guilty will be dealt with accordingly.
The chief executive of Kahunla Rangers “strongly condemned unsportsmanlike behaviour” while Lumbebu’s general manager said he was “not aware of any match manipulation”.
Kahunla and Gulf FC had the same number of points heading into the final round of fixtures, both teams hoping to earn the final spot in the national Super 10 League.
Both games kicked off at the same time but the Gulf fixture was delayed at the start of the second half as the referee refused to continue officiating.
During the second half, both teams knew the side with the better goal-difference would be promoted into the Super 10 League.
The chief executive officer of Kahunla, Eric Kaitell, condemned his team and the other involved sides.
“I want to start by apologising to the football fans in the country and the world at large for the odd match result of my club Kahunla Rangers,” Kaitell said.
“I want to state firmly that I strongly condemn such unsportsmanlike behaviour displayed by my team, and the other teams involved.”
Image source: @GettyImages
