AFCON 2022: Coach of Sierra Leone national team receives death threats over squad selection

Sierra Leone coach John Keister has filed a report with the country’s police after receiving death threats over his squad selection for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Keister disclosed that he reported the matter to the police after receiving two threats – regarding the inclusion of certain players – a day before announcing his 28-man squad for the tournament in Cameroon.

The 51-year-old described the development as sad, adding that no manager deserved to have his life threatened over football.

“I think it’s very, very sad that it has to come to this. Whatever walk of life you are in, nobody deserves that,” the English coach told BBC Sport.

“I don’t think it should get to that point where my life is being threatened because people feel players should be in [the squad] – and if they are not, this is what they are going to do.”

Keister is calling for action to be taken against those who threatened his life over his squad selection for the AFCON.

“We have come a long way [so] there’s no reason for [the death threats]. I’ve got family, I look after these boys and I have a job to do.

“It gets me angry and for me, where I have come from and my background, I feel there is something I need to do about it. Regardless of the job, I need to do something about it,” the Sierra Leone boss added.

The AFCON will kickstart on Sunday, January 9, 2022.

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