By Amin Kef Sesay
In an exclusive interview with Rodney Edmond Michael, who happens to be the Presidential Aspirant of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), on the issue of being exonerated by the Sierra Leone Football Association Ethics Committee, on an allegation of match fixing, he commenced by intimating that in July 2014, he was suspended from all football activities, along with 14 other football administrators, officials and players.
He furthered that from the onset he professed his innocence and fought hard to clear his name and restore his integrity saying the suspension had no basis in law nor in fact.
Rodney reiterated that for over 6 years he remained suspended for allegations without any hearing, correspondence or query.
“My family and I were subjected to humiliation and embarrassment, and our family reputation was tarnished beyond repair, but I was always confident that in the end the truth will be revealed and justice served,” he told The Calabash.
SLFA Presidential hopeful maintained that in spite of the damage to his reputation and that of his family, and the fact that they reserved the right to seek redress, they however opted at this time to welcome and appreciate the decision and celebrate the fact that Justice has been served.
He said they are grateful to God Almighty for giving them the strength to absorb the pressure and persevere in the fight against victimization.
Rodney expressed thanks the people of Sierra Leone whom he said have always believed in his innocence and supported him right through the years stating that their love and trust in him gave him the courage to continue the fight and today they have won the battle for justice.
He also thanked the newly constituted Sierra Leone Football Association Ethics Committee, chaired by Drucil Taylor, for the verdict that reads: “These persons are therefore unequivocally discharged of all match fixing allegations against them by the Ministry of Sports and the Sierra Leone Football Association”.
The lover of soccer also thanked his family for always standing by him, especially when their names were dragged to the gutter as well and they were unfairly humiliated and molested for his sake and his ambition to lead the Sierra Leone Football Association.
“They were my shoulder to cry on and the strength I needed to survive the injustice,” he expressed gratitude.
Rodney said he would like to reassure the Nation that he had always and continue to condemn all forms of match manipulation and illegality in football.
He congratulated the others who have also been cleared from all allegations and pray that all remaining match fixing investigations will soon be concluded in the interest of justice and fairness.
Relatedly, one of Sierra Leone’s renowned and respected lawyers, Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai has in an interview on Radio Mercury 92.1 FM on Monday 7th December 2020 endorsed Rodney Edmond Michael as the best to lead Sierra Leone football.
Barrister Saffa Abdulai who is also a former football player and Chairman of Old Edwardians Football Club told Radio Mercury James Conteh that the only way to salvage the current acrimony in Sierra Leone football is to change Isha Johansen. He said the Government of Sierra Leone has to understand that and don’t interfere with the process.
The Legal luminary cautioned the Government to desist from imposing any candidate, noting that such an action will affect football for years to come.
