Elite League clubs push back at GFF

With the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) Elite League set to begin this weekend, the Elite Clubs are pushing back after what they have described as insufficient consultations and financial concerns regarding the 2026/27 season of the league.
In correspondence from the clubs to the federation seen by this publication, the teams have made several demands of the GFF, the consequence of which will be their non-participation in the 2026/27 Elite League openers.
The correspondence to the GFF notes, “It’s been a year now, and we are yet to get a report of the financial matters relating to the Elite League, mainly the 2025 League Competition, the end of year 2025, and the knockout in February 2026.
While the League is run by the GFF, we as stakeholders have seen a growing lack of transparency and information as it relates to:
– Preparation Grants that were given to the clubs (stopped without explanation)
– Transport expenses coverage when clubs have to travel to fulfil fixtures.
– Uniform & Equipment grants, which provided some financial relief.
– No information on sponsorship, the quantum of it, and the commitments made to sponsors that the clubs have to bear as stakeholders of the GFF.”

Given the huge expenses involved in a club’s preparations and participation in the league, the club should be entitled to a fair percentage of the gate receipts.
Fans, supporters, and the general public pay to see our teams and players perform.
Given the fact that GFF incurs the expense to run the league and the clubs’ participation makes the event a reality, both the GFF and the clubs should share the gate receipts.”
The clubs further stated, “Again, no consultation on these matters was raised except a decision handed down by the GFF regarding an arrangement that could be described as far from ideal to the Clubs.”
As such, the clubs have made the following demands:
“That the 2026/27 season should not begin until and unless there is a clear agreement with the GFF and the clubs regarding gate receipts.
Transparent disclosure as to the financing and funding of the League, including sponsorships and partnerships that the GFF has entered into as it relates to the Elite League.
A discussion on the marketing strategy for the league to increase attendance. We would like to know the plan of the GFF and we would like to put forward suggestions of our own.”
In conclusion, we the clubs see ourselves as committed stakeholders within the GFF but are very concerned with the lack of financial transparency and absence of any meaningful consultation that affects the governance of the league.
Corporate Guyana has shown a lack of interest and enthusiasm to partner with the GFF, while football remains the most popular sport in the world.
We insist on playing our role in making the GFF a more transparent and inclusive organization. Towards this end we seek a meeting with the GFF Council (leadership) before the league starts.
No amount of quotes of statutes and threats of sanction will deter us from the path of improving football governance in Guyana.”
The 2026/27 Elite League is scheduled to kick off this Saturday, August 29, at the GFF’s National Training Centre (NTC), Providence, East Bank Demerara. Double headers are scheduled for both Saturday and Sunday, August 30.