Forde, “BL” differ on agenda of Elite League dispute

President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Wayne Forde and Slingerz Football Club Secretary Collin “BL” Aaron have vented differing opinions on the reason for the prolonged dispute between the two.
Since last year much turmoil surrounded the Elite league after the GFF Executive made a decision to expand the league from eight to ten teams. A move which four clubs (Slingerz, Pele, Alpha United and Georgetown Football Club) felt was unconstitutional.
The matter has seen input from FIFA, CONCACAF and even GFF’s Disciplinary Committee, with the latter ruling in favour of the clubs.
It is understood that they were attempts to resolve the matter amicably but the current situation is that two of the clubs (Alpha and Slingerz) have filled M lawsuit against GFF.
Guyana Times Sport reached out to both parties who felt there was a diverse motive behind the disagreements.

GFF President Wayne Forde

“In my opinion, this matter was never about football it was always about politics and I think that the motives of the people that are pursing the matter in court is known to the Guyanese public, the Guyanese football fraternity and the international governing body”, Forde contended.
The GFF boss is of the belief that the clubs don’t have their player’s interest at heart and in-turn no intention of playing football.
“For anyone to gamble with the opportunities of their players to the extent that they have essentially destabilized their club and lost their players would have to tell you clearly that the interest is never with the players of football”, Forde stated.
He added, “Even if there is a misunderstanding, misinterpretation, the fact that you have CONCACAF and FIFA coming on several occasions not just endorsing but confirm the Executive constitution right to expand the league and yet they continue down this road, it has to be concluded that it has nothing to do with football”.
On the other side of the field, Aaron vehemently disagreed claiming that it has nothing to do with politics and assuring that his club is firm in its stance.

General Manager of Slingerz FC, Colin “BL” Aaron

“He [Wayne Forde] could say anything. We are saying that you cannot bring in two teams. It has nothing to do with politics. He is just pedalling that , What is the political side of it?”, Aaron asked.
The club secretary also explained that Slingerz has loaned and released players until the issue is resolved.
“We released and loaned some players to deal with our issue and when the issue is complete, we will determine the future”, he noted.

Slingerz FC were the champions of the inaugural edition of the Elite League

On Thursday Aaron disclosed that the club has no intentions of returning to West Demerara Association (WDA) Football after being relegated from the Elite League.
This comes on the heels of the GFF releasing a statement that which stated that the federation had commenced efforts to reintegrate Pele Football Club and the Georgetown Football Club into the activities of their Association, the Georgetown Football Association (GFA), following their relegation from the Elite League.
However, no mention was made of Slingerz FC and Alpha United, the other two clubs relegated due to their non-participation in the league.