WITH the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) being ordered by their members to thoroughly investigate the reason behind the shift of a proposed 2014 World Cup Qualifier return match between Guyana and Mexico from the Guyana National Stadium at Providence to Houston Texas, how much money was made and the money owed to the players as a result of the move, former GFF president Franklin Wilson is asking: “Why investigate?” He is claiming that all the evidence is at the Dadanawa Street headquarters.
Guyana were due to face Mexico at the Guyana National Stadium during their historic run at the 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifier. However, the GFF sold the hosting rights for the game, which was then hosted at the BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas, on October 12, 2012.
The Golden Jaguars had lost 3-1 to Mexico at the Azteca and fans in Guyana were hoping to see the likes of Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez in action at Providence.
Wilson, while welcoming and respecting the members’ right to have information surrounding the Guyana vs Mexico match played in Houston, Texas, USA, is adamant that all relevant information pertaining to that match is in the possession of the GFF.
Wilson, in responding to the decision taken by the GFF members at the just concluded congress, based on a motion proposed and seconded by two Elite League clubs, believes that it is time for the matter to be concluded and if possible the requisite moneys owed to the players be paid, based on the affordability of the GFF.
According to Wilson, it was not the desire of the-then GFF to just move the game but a number of factors resulted in such a decision. Some are meagre local funding, no funding from the-then Government, lack of resources to host the game, the fact that Guyana had already lost the opportunity to advance further in the competition as well as the necessity for the federation to supplement its income to meet expenses and indebtedness already incurred.
Wilson noted that the contracts that were entered into with Sponsports, the letter from FIFA granting permission for the game to proceed as well as one from the US Soccer Federation giving approval for the game to be played in their jurisdiction were sent to then President Donald Ramotar and Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Dr Frank Anthony.
“The GFF is also in possession of information on the sums actually received in cash. In addition, this information as well as documentation regarding the expenditure on the Men’s Senior National Football team during the period January to November 2012 was shared with the media at a press conference held at the GFF in December 2012,” Wilson stated.
The former GFF president explained that “match fees and bonuses agreed between the players and the GFF have been paid to them (the players). What is outstanding to the players is the agreed amount of 12% of moneys accruing to the GFF after expenses.”
Wilson is of the view that “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 disclosed that he and the current GFF president would have had discussions on the matter before and he is urging that wisdom and good sense be allowed to prevail.
Wayne Forde, the GFF president, had told reporters recently that “we now have the tools that we need to reach out to both FIFA and CONCACAF, for their support both in terms of their investigative capacity, and the necessary funding that will no doubt be required to undertake such an investigation”.
Forde is of the opinion that Guyana’s football administrative problems need closure and that “we’re happy that one of our members brought this to the floor. Of course the Executive Committee from day one will pursue and now continue to pursue closure to this matter and I’m now happy that we now have a clear mandate from our membership to resolve this matter.”
There’s no specific time-frame given to complete the investigation, which Forde promised to be independent, “but what was proposed is that something get going within 14 days, which I think we have no difficulty with.”