Marcus Chan
The Sierra Leone Football Association is to launch an investigation into two matches that ended 95-0 and 91-1.
The two matches in question were played in the country’s second tier. Kahunla Rangers recorded a huge 95-0 win over Lembebu United. And Gulf FC tore Koquima Lebanon apart as they came out 91-1 winners.
BBC Sport has stated that the two victories are the two biggest winning margins in the country’s football history and are also two of the biggest scorelines in the history of the game.
Both results have been annulled after suspicions of match fixing, the half time scores were 2-0 and 7-1 respectively.
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Currently, the record for the biggest winning margin is held by Madagascan side AS Adema, after a 149-0 win over Stade Olymique L’Emyrne. 149 own goals were scored by the losing side as form of protest over a refereeing decision.
The president of the Sierra Leone Football Association, Thomas Daddy Brima told BBC Sport Africa: “We can't stand by and see an embarrassing situation like this go unpunished.”
“We're going to launch an immediate investigation and bring to book all those responsible for this mediocrity.”
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Brima added: “All those found guilty will be dealt with in accordance with the SLFA laws, and will also be handed over to the country's anti-corruption commission.”
Kahunla Rangers’ chief executive has ‘strongly condemned unsportsmanlike behaviour’ and Lembebu United’s general manager said he was ‘not aware of any match manipulation.’
From the other match, Koquima Lebanon’s chairman has said that the match was actually just a friendly, whilst Gulf FC club officials declined to comment.
The Sierra Leone FA has decided that they will investigate players and officials from all clubs involved in both matches, the match officials and also the Eastern Region Football Association.
They SLFA added that it ‘maintains zero tolerance’ against match manipulation in the country, in compliance with the rules of the sport’s governing body Fifa and the Confederation of African Football.
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Kahunla Rangers’ CEO said on social media after the match: “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.”
“I want to state firmly that I strongly condemn such unsportsmanlike behaviour displayed by my team, and the other teams involved.”
“I’m setting up a committee to investigate the whole team including the technical staff and the executive members, and whoever is found wanting will be dealt with accordingly.”
Lumbebu general manager said: “I’ll never be part of match fixing.”
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“I’m calling on the football authorities to investigate both matches and bring to book anyone found wanting. And if nobody is found guilty of any crime then so be it.”