Razeen Gutta
Gulf FC, a second-tier football club in Sierra Leone, will play a promotion playoff match despite an ongoing investigation into match manipulation after its 91-1 victory over Koquima Lebanon last month.
The clubs had their match replayed on Sunday with Gulf winning 3-0 this time to qualify for the Super 10 round of the league.
Gulf’s close challengers Kahunla Rangers lost their replay with Lumbebu United 1-0 after initially winning 95-0.
Both initial scorelines were annulled after allegations of match manipulation resulted in an investigation launched by the Sierra Leone Football Association (Slfa), which called for the games to be replayed.
The Eastern Region FA (Erfa) initially banned all four sides. However, the suspension has now been lifted, based on Erfa findings which are yet to be released to the public.
Slfa president Thomas Daddy Brima said that the matches were replayed to enable the completion of the calendar schedule. He added that the case is far from closed.
“Based on the report we got from the Erfa we allowed the matches to be replayed so that we can meet our calendar,” he told BBC Sport Africa.
“But that does not in any way mean we have closed the case. We are sending it to Fifa and Caf for them to look at it and advise accordingly.”
However, “I can confirm that Gulf FC will be allowed to take part in the Super 10.”
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