Leone Stars Boycott FIFA Series Clash Over Unpaid Allowances

Leone Stars Boycott FIFA Series Clash Over Unpaid Allowances

 Sampson Adedeji

The Sierra Leone national team, the Leone Stars, have reportedly boycotted their FIFA Series fixture against hosts Azerbaijan national team over unpaid allowances, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Reports emerging ahead of the scheduled kickoff indicate that the players refused to honour the encounter, citing outstanding bonuses and allowances owed to them by the football authorities.

The protest is believed to have disrupted final preparations for the game, with the players insisting that their financial entitlements must be settled before they return to action.

Sources close to the team revealed that the situation had been brewing for some time, with repeated appeals to the federation yielding no concrete resolution.

The development adds to the growing concerns over player welfare and administrative challenges affecting some African national teams, particularly during international engagements.

As of the time of filing this report, officials are yet to release an official statement on the matter, while efforts are reportedly ongoing to resolve the impasse and salvage the fixture.