Disciplinary Committee had no authority to rule – Forde

GFF Elite League impasse…

At the beginning of the second edition of the Stag Elite league, there was and seemingly still is a conflict of interest between the Wayne Forde headed Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and four Elite clubs ( Slingerz, Alpha United , Pele FC and Georgetown Football Club) over the expansion of the league and other related issues.

The four aforementioned clubs decided not play in the league which began the infractions between the clubs and the federation.

In this regard, the Disciplinary Committee comprising of Attorneys Sanjeev Datadin (Chairman) and Natasha Vieira, along with Dr. Clement McEwan ruled that the executive committee’s decision to move the STAG Elite League from eight to ten teams was ultra vires their powers and unconstitutional and that the GFF Constitution can only be amended by Congress and the Executive Committee had no authority to unilaterally amend the Constitution in any manner whatsoever.

However, Forde with the support of FIFA is adamant that the committee had no such powers rule on the matter.

“Despite overwhelming national support for this move, four clubs [Alpha United, Slingerz FC, Pele and GFC] opposed this decision, deliberately breaching the GFF Constitution by refusing to participate in this season’s Elite League, which they are constitutionally mandated to do as members of the GFF according to Art. 13 1c. The clubs actions were unconstitutional, unprofessional, completely misguided and against the interest of the overall development of football in Guyana and the players of each club”. Forde stated.

He went unto to say, “The Executive Committee wishes to reiterate that the Disciplinary Committee has no constitutional remit to deal with this matter”. This position was confirmed by FIFA in its correspondence to the President of the GFF, dated May 3rd 2017.

Additionally the executive is of the firm conviction that the process engaged by the Disciplinary Committee was thoroughly flawed.

“We have stated clearly from the outset that this issue did not fall within the remit or competence of the Disciplinary Committee. The Executive Committee has received no response to this from the Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee, despite formally requesting that he prove on what authority he seized this matter. “As the Disciplinary Committee does not have the right to hear this matter, the Executive Committee did not take part in any proceedings and we questioned the motivation and rationale behind such proceedings”, Forde emphasised.

The President is hopeful that the issue can come to a close permanently since matters like these can become a hindrance to the development of Football.

As for the clubs, they will have to rebuild by planning in their various association leagues until they can qualify for the Elite league once again.