The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) is moving resolutely to unearth everything that needs to be known about the Guyana Jaguars’ World Cup 2014 Qualifier against Mexico 2014, which was switched from Guyana to Mexico in 2012.
Guyana Football Federation (GFF) President Wayne Forde, in a recent interview, stated that the GFF is honouring its promise to start the process within 14 days of the holding of the last Ordinary Congress, on May 27 last.
He also revealed that a consultant has been going through documents and doing interviews, all in the interest of putting together the dossier that is required for any investigator to be updated as to where to start the process.
Former Acting GFF President, Franklin Wilson, who was at the helm of the fiasco, recently said that all the relevant information pertaining to the match is in possession of the Federation.
“There is no need to expend much-needed dollars to unearth what transpired, when the facts that can lead to closure on this issue are already accessible and in the possession of the GFF. Closure of this would be a plus for all and sundry, and Guyana as a whole,” Wilson said in a statement.
Franklin Wilson
Forde, in response, has said, “All is a relative term, and I’m not sure I want to comment on what Mr. Wilson means by ‘all’, but I’m sure he would be more than willing to elaborate on that if he is so asked by anyone of you guys (reporters).”
He added, “While I respect the former president’s views, I’m obligated to respect the mandate of the members, who happen to be the highest decision-making body (for football) in the country. And every member that was represented at the Congress voted, and it was actually a unanimous decision to pursue an investigation.”
Former National Captain Christopher Nurse recently told Guyana Times Sport he was hopeful that the matter would be addressed. According to Nurse, prior to the match, then acting GFF President, Franklin Wilson, had signed an agreement with the players concerning their remuneration packages due to the switch in venue, after he had previously been ignoring them.
“He [Franklin Wilson had] ignored the earlier request for an agreement, (and that had) led to the strike the night before (the) Mexico [match],” Nurse revealed. He further disclosed: “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 (amount), the players are due 12 per cent. One crucial instance took place, and it [was] announced to the national team (that) US$75,000 was received. However, only US$45,000 was deposited into the GFF account, and the players were never compensated as per the agreement”.
Back in 2012, Wilson had deemed moving the match as being “in the best interest of 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 (Gy$400 million) in profits. However, no documentation was provided to substantiate these claims.
Guyana’s Golden Jaguars and Mexico were set to clash at the Guyana National Stadium, but the Federation sold the hosting rights for the game, which was then moved to the BBVA Compass Stadium in Texas.
