THE executive committee of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) noted with consternation the adverse ruling against their body by the Disciplinary Committee in the matter of a complaint made by Slingerz FC, Alpha United, Pele FC and the Georgetown Football Club (GFF).

Attorneys Sanjeev Datadin (Chairman) and Natasha Vieira, along with Dr. Clement McEwan ruled that the executive committee’s decision to move the STAG Elite League from eight to ten teams was ultra vires their powers and unconstitutional and that the GFF Constitution can only be amended by Congress and the Executive Committee had no authority to unilaterally amend the Constitution in any manner whatsoever.

The GFF stated that “while the executive committee fully respects the independence and role of the Disciplinary Committee, it is their (the GFF) position that this matter does not fall within the jurisdiction of the Disciplinary Committee, as was formally communicated to the Chairman at the outset.”

“The governing bodies, FIFA and CONCACAF, have confirmed that the Executive Committee acted fully within its rights and powers, as clearly laid out in the GFF’s Constitution; that no breach to the Constitution occurred, and that no change to the Constitution was required in order to expand the League” the Federation said in a release.

Article 36.2.i of the Constitution states that it is within the powers of the Executive Committee to “draw up regulations governing the conditions of participation in and the staging of competitions organised by the Federation, including the playing schedule. This shall not affect the composition of the Congress.”

In addition, according to the GFF, the four clubs that chose to boycott this season’s League were in violation of Article 13.1.c of the Constitution, which states that members are obliged “to take part in competitions (if applicable) or other sporting activities organised/approved by the Federation.”

“As a consequence of this breach of the Constitution, which automatically meant the clubs had chosen not to be in good standing with the GFF, CONCACAF was forced to take the very difficult decision to exclude those clubs from this year’s regional competition” the Federation added.

The GFF cited that “it is vital that all of our members are fully familiar with, and willing to abide by, the full content of the Constitution, as we seek to reform and rebuild football in Guyana.
The GFF Executive Committee is working hard to restore the image of football in Guyana and to lay sustainable foundations for a professional, accountable and successful future for football through reform, respect for the rules and careful investment in development and facilities.