… ExCo to act on case of sexual harassment

EXECUTIVE Committee Members of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) will meet today to deliberate and decide a course of action on the case of sexual harassment allegations that were levelled against its head of referee, Stanley Lancaster, and referee assessor Roy McArthur.

In March of this year, GFF had set up a Board of Inquiry (BoI) following allegations of sexual harassment by female referees and which was conducted by a five-member panel, led by Chairman Dr Karen Pilgrim, vice-president of the Guyana Olympic Association.
Other members of the Board included Dr Melissa Ifill of the University of Guyana; Karen Joseph, Human Resources Consultant; Karen De Souza, Red Thread and Joy Nichola Marcus-Reid, also of Red Thread.

The report was submitted by Dr Pilgrim on November 19 following the completion of a thorough investigation.
According to GFF, the Terms of Reference of the BoI included: to develop a policy against sexual harassment for referees in Guyana and to evolve a permanent mechanism for the prevention and redress of sexual harassment cases.

A release from the GFF stated that the Inquiry was also tasked to ensure the implementation of the policy in letter and spirit through proper reporting of the complaints and their follow-up procedures; to create a secure physical and social environment to deter any act of sexual harassment and to promote a social and psychological environment to raise awareness on sexual harassment in its various forms.

In an article published in November 26 edition of the Stabroek News, a well-placed source revealed that it has recommended the removal of Lancaster and MacArthur from their respective posts.

When asked by Chronicle Sport about the report and the possible outcome at the recent press conference, GFF president Wayne Forde refused to comment, telling reporters “I will not comment on that matter until the GFF Executive would’ve met on December 1.”
Meanwhile, there was no word on the case against one of its Executive Committee Member Keith O’Jeer.

The GFF had announced that an independent investigator has conducted and completed a preliminary inquiry into the allegation of ‘inappropriate conduct’ by O’Jeer.
Forde told one section of the media that the Executive Committee took a decision to suspend O’Jeer after receiving a report that he had behaved inappropriately.

The GFF president said, “O’Jeer’s behaviour was brought to the attention of the GFF, following which the Berbician was questioned about the matter by members of the executive and subsequently disciplined because of the nature of his interactions.
On O’Jeer’s matter, the GFF said, “A report was submitted to the GFF, which will be submitted to the Disciplinary Committee. The Disciplinary Committee will review and pronounce on the matter.”