I hasten to comment on the publication of an article published on page 60 of K.N publication (09.12.12) caption “Pele will not be playing in the Banks/GFA tournament says Club President”, wherein Pele’s President, Mr. Cecil Jacques, an individual whom I have known for over two decades, while he was a youth player; then graduating to the senior ranks during which time he donned national colours as a goalkeeper. Additionally, Cecil and myself served on the executive of the then GFL, and also on the GFA.  As a consequence, I was totally shocked to have heard and subsequently read that “approaches were being made to players of Pele FC, to play as guest players for clubs participating in this year’s GFA Banks DIH Knockout Competition.
Editor, when an executive of the GFA, in collaboration with a senior official of Banks DIH can stoop so low to promote further division in football, by enticing players with financial rewards, then that executive should be banished from the sport for a lengthy period.  And in meaningful fashion, the GFA executive should offer a comment publicly to dispel any notion of one of its officials  promoting an “unethical and unprofessional” stance, in relation to the “Good of the Game and Love for the World”!

Sir, a club has to issue written permission releasing the player(s), based upon a written request, of which the relevant association (s) must be duly informed, along with the GFF.
So, in actuality this backdoor arrangement” apart from being against the mode of fair play and I do hope that the relevant trophy is struck off the presentation list; The Jacques of old that I know is absolutely correct in saying, “who want to leave go ahead but they are consequences that come with doing so”. Being fully aware that Pele FC, isn’t affiliated to the GFA, and is currently participating in the GFF Super League, automatically guarantees their participation in this year’s K&S K.O Tournament. And the official (in) actions contravenes the very constitution he is supposed to uphold, as it relates to articulation of: “Duties of clubs, officials and players inter-alia, bringing the game into disrepute”!

Finally, I do hope that the GFA official would be able to deal with the can of worms he has opened, when other clubs with players of  meaningful calibre   approach Pele players and request lucrative sums of monies for participation. And to the Banks DIH official, the late Kenneth De Abreau, Cecil “Bruiser” Thomas and John Nestor are surely turning in their graves to envisage their contributions to football on behalf of Banks DIH, is being tarnished by a senior official.