THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) says that the body is still awaiting a verdict from FIFA, with regard to its protest against St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) whom they said fielded an ineligible player during their 2018 World Cup Qualifier last month. Guyana drew 2–2 at the Arnos Vale Stadium in St George’s but following their 4-4 result at the Guyana National Stadium, the ‘Golden Jaguars’ lost to the ‘Vincy Heat’ via the away goal rule, since St Vincent had the superior goal difference.

But Guyana learnt that St Vincent and the Grenadines fielded a player; James Garvin, who is the holder of a British Passport and not that of the Island, contrary to FIFA’s rule that governs the status of a player.
James, the St Vincent and the Grenadines striker, was used though he was not a holder of a Vincentian passport which is a clear violation of FIFA’s laws that govern a player’s eligibility to represent his country. James was born in England and plays for the Flackwell Heath Football Club.
FIFA regulations for the 2018 programme say that only passports are “valid proof of a player’s identity and nationality.” Each player’s passport must be shown to FIFA’s match delegate the day before kickoff.
The new rule states: “Identity cards or other supporting official documents shall not be accepted” and history has shown that seven different African teams fielded ineligible players in qualifying group matches for the 2014 World Cup, forcing FIFA to award 3-0 wins to their opponents.
If GFF is successful, the result will be reversed, a fine will be imposed on the St Vincent Football Association and the Golden Jaguars will be awarded the victory with a 3-0 scoreline and would advance to the next round of qualification.
Chairman of the GFF’s Normalisation Committee, Clinton Urling, had recently told one section of the media that FIFA has been in contact with the entity regarding the complaint against St Vincent and the Grenadines for fielding an ineligible player and that a decision is expected to be taken shortly.