The Western Area Football Association (WAFA) has suspended the COFA League indefinitely following violent clashes in Kroo Town Road that reportedly left three people dead, amid allegations that police gunfire during a confrontation with civilians caused the deaths.
The violence erupted on Sunday after a football match between Kroo Town Road and Kossoh Tong, with tensions later escalating into a confrontation between civilians and police.
Local reports said police intervened as the situation deteriorated. Witnesses and residents have alleged that officers fired live rounds while attempting to disperse the crowd, with the gunfire reportedly resulting in the deaths of three people. The allegations have not been independently verified, and the Sierra Leone Police has not publicly established how the reported deaths occurred.
The incident reportedly followed tensions involving supporters of Kroo Town Road after their team lost to Kossoh Tong. Reports said the unrest later spread towards the office of APC flagbearer aspirant Sheik Alhaji Mohamed Kamara, popularly known as Jagaban, which was reportedly attacked.
WAFA, in its statement suspending the league, referred to “grave acts of violence” following Saturday’s match and said the subsequent incidents had resulted in loss of lives and destruction of property.
The association said the developments represented a serious affront to football, public order and the safety of people and property.
“Football must never be permitted to become a catalyst for violence or a platform for reprisal,” WAFA said.
WAFA said it would conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the violence and take appropriate regulatory and disciplinary measures.
It also said the indefinite postponement of a scheduled fixture between Kossoh Tong and Fourah Bay was not enough to address the situation.
“Until otherwise directed by WAFA formally, no COFA fixture shall be played,” it said.
The association called on football participants and community stakeholders to remain calm and exercise restraint, stressing that “the sanctity of human life takes precedent over football.”
The reported deaths and allegations surrounding the police response are likely to intensify calls for an independent investigation into what happened during the confrontation.
