JUBA — The South Sudan Football Federation (SSFF) on Monday distanced itself from remarks of its spokesperson, Mr. Albino Kuek Deng, against aspiring candidate for the position of president, Teng Deng, where he questioned the professional background of the presidential candidate.
On Sunday, Mr. Kuek questioned Teng Deng’s claims about being a retired footballer and professional coach with ties to top-tier English clubs such as Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, and Swansea City.
“These claims were made by Teng Deng himself. But a simple review of club histories, football databases, and official records in the UK reveals no evidence linking him to any of these institutions,” Albino said.
Mr. Kuek cited that professional coaching in the United Kingdom requires proper accreditation, such as a UEFA A or Pro License, which Teng Deng has not presented publicly, nor is he included in any relevant coaching database.
“Living in London does not mean working in football. Many South Sudanese have lived in England’s major football cities without being part of those clubs. You can’t fake a football career—especially in the digital era,” Albino emphasized.
However, the SSFF clarified in a statement issued on Monday that the remarks of its spokesman and executive member are his personal views, which do not reflect those of the football body.
“The SSFF would like to stress that the remarks contained in that post were made strictly in Mr. Albino Kuek Deng’s personal capacity and do not represent the official views, policies, or position of the Federation,” partly reads the statement.
SSFF stated that as the governing body of football in South Sudan, they will maintain complete impartiality throughout the electoral process.
“The Federation respects the rights of all candidates to present their visions and credentials without prejudice or external influence,” SSFF added.
“Any official communication regarding elections or candidate matters will only be issued through the General Secretariat or Electoral Committee in line with SSFF statutes,” it continued.
Besides, the Federation advises the public, stakeholders, and media outlets to distinguish between personal viewpoints expressed by individuals and the SSFF’s official stance.
“Statements made outside official channels should not be misconstrued as institutional positions,” it stressed.
“The SSFF remains committed to ensuring that the upcoming elections are conducted in a fair, transparent, and credible manner, guided by principles of integrity, neutrality, and good governance in the development of football in South Sudan.”
