….filed by Slingerz FC and Alpha United

THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF), through president Wayne Forde, said that they were unaware of an injunction filed in the High Court of the Supreme Court of Judicature and granted by the Honourable Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry, to prevent the hosting of yesterday’s Ordinary Congress.

The GFF and 17 of their 22 members gathered at the Park Vue Hotel on the East Bank of Demerara for their 2017 Ordinary Congress, but an ongoing issue with Alpha United and Slingerz FC, two of Guyana’s top clubs, has forced the teams who are also members of the federation, to seek the Laws of Guyana for justice.

However, Forde at a post-Congress press conference explained that he’s unaware of any injunction being filed and/or delivered yesterday by Court Marshals.

But contrary to Forde’s explanation, when contacted the Court Marshal stated that the Deputy General Secretary of the GFF, Rennela Bourne was issued the documents, but proceeded to toss the documents in a corner, saying she “doesn’t have time”.

The Court Marshal explained that he arrived at the Congress and before handing the documents to Ms. Bourne; he identified himself (showed ID) and would’ve explained the nature of him serving the papers.

“We are not aware of the serving or filing of any application or notice…the Executive Committee have absolutely no knowledge of the serving of any order by the courts,” Forde told Chronicle Sport when asked to explain why the court order was disregarded.

Sewnarine-Beharry, the former Chief Magistrate turned Judge, on May 25, 2017, following a submission by Attorney-At-Law, Adrian Smith, representing Alpha United and Slingerz FC, issued the order that the GFF do not pay out prize money for the second staging of the STAG Elite League, which was won by the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).

The Court Order, seen by Chronicle Sport, stated “this Court also orders that the Respondent whether by themselves, their servants and/or agents, be restrained and an interim injunction be and is hereby granted restraining the respondent (the GFF) from holding Congress scheduled for 27th May, 2017 so as to amend the constitution of the Respondent to increase the membership of the Elite members from eight to ten members without the Applicants being allowed to cast their votes at an Elite Member meeting due to them being relegated by the Respondent for not being ‘in good standing with the Respondent.”

It also stated that if the GFF fail to comply with the terms of this order, “you will be in contempt of court and may be liable to imprisonment or to have assets confiscated. The Respondent herein advised that it may make an application to set aside or vary the order within 14 days.”

This is not the first time the GFF is being marched up the steps of the High Court. In 2011, the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) also filed an injunction, stopping the then Colin Klass-led GFF Congress. The GFF at the time, upon being served, adhered to the Court’s order, but would later suspend the GFA.