Nurse hoping GFF Congress can resolve Jaguars’ payment ‘fiasco’
Mexico FIFA World Cup 2014 Qualifier…
The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) will have its Congress today at the Park Vue Hotel, East Bank of Demerara, and former National Captain Christopher Nurse will be paying keen attention, as he hopes that a resolution can be found regarding the payment of players after the infamous switch in venue for the Mexico FIFA World Cup 2014 Qualifier.
The match which was initially set to play in Guyana, was moved to BBVA Compass Stadium, in Houston, Texas, where the Golden Jaguars went down 0-5 to Mexico on October 12, 2012.
Christopher Nurse (left) dedicated years of service to football in Guyana and is hopeful that this prolonged issue can finally come to an end
According to Nurse, then acting GFF President Franklin Wilson had signed an agreement with the players prior to match concerning their remuneration packages due to the switch in venue only after ignoring them.
“He [Franklin Wilson] ignored the earlier request for an agreement that led to the strike the night before Mexico [match],” Nurse revealed.
He further disclosed that “It’s common courtesy for the team to be notified how much the game was sold for and how much the GFF received. Out of that the players are due 12 per cent. One crucial instance took place and it [was] announced to the national team $75,000 was received however, only $45,000 was deposited into the GFF accounts and the players were never compensated as per the agreement”.
Back in 2012, Wilson had deemed moving the match as “the best interest for football” since “the revenue will be used to pay off outstanding debts and other expenses the Golden Jaguars have incurred”.
It is understood that the Federation would have reaped approximately US$2 million (US$400 million) in profits.
The quandary is that the matter would have happened some five years ago, yet no decision has been taken by the GFF to resolve the matter which Nurse believes is due to the close ties players and other members have with the GFF.
“It’s a hard battle to fight because players and staff have been reluctant to join the fight. But this is understandable because the GFF pay and employ the staff and now ex-players too and they provide the structure and framework for current players, so it’s very difficult for them to challenge the lack of affirmative action openly as I have done. I’m hoping Congress can see that this issue is bigger than any individual agendas or battles. It’s about justice and cleansing the sport from anyone who has deemed to do wrong in representing the best interests of the players and the game. Some of the people responsible might be friends of the current administration. We will see if Congress pushes to have the investigation thoroughly made in a honest fashion”, the England-based player contended. Another section of the media had recently reported that Fruta Conquerors Football Club has tabled a motion to be presented at the Congress, mandating that an investigation be launched in to the match.
