… GFF head vows Elite League payment before December 14

WAYNE Forde, president of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), is confident that their ‘Super 16’ Year-End tournament will not be in limbo over prize money owed to the Elite League Clubs.

The GFF boss also stated that all financial settlements will be done before the tournament kicks off on December 14.
In the absence of proper corporate support, the GFF Elite League is primarily funded by FIFA.

Elite League Champion Fruta Conquerors are yet to receive their $5M prize, while runners-up and last year’s winners, Guyana Defence Force (GDF), did not collect their $2M since the league concluded on September 23.
Additionally, Den Amstel ($1M) and Western Tigers ($500 000) are still awaiting their winnings.

Also, each player from the 10 competing clubs’ 18-member roster is owed $36 000, equating to $4 000 per match per player over the course of the nine second-round fixtures, meaning, that the GFF owes $6 480 000 in match-day fees. Overall, the Elite League top four finishers and clubs are owed in excess of $14M.

Several clubs, who are set to feature in the Year-End tournament, had told Chronicle Sport that their participation in the Knockout formatted competition is questionable, given the fact that the money is badly needed to help in their preparation.
However, asked by Chronicle Sport about the possibility of mutiny by the club as a result of not being paid, Forde gave all assurance that the situation will be resolved by December 14.

Forde, answering the question at the GFF’s launch of their International Futsal tournament, explained that the “GFF is a funded institution and we communicated with our members that we have to make certain application to our governing body to have funds released. FIFA has changed. No longer can I pick up the phone, or any Federation president pick up the phone and make things happen.”

“We came in and inherited a federation in 2015 that had its funding restricted by FIFA because of its accounts. We have fixed that (and) we’ve now restored Guyana to full funding. It does not mean that we have the prerogative to not follow the rules, so, even though the competition has concluded, FIFA’s new regulation demands to see evidence of the competition and that it did conclude,” the GFF boss related.

The GFF president said the clubs were also told of the “long laborious process,” to access funds from FIFA, “but it is the level of governance the release of finance that all Member Associations must submit themselves too. We are confident that before the 14th, we will resolve those matters with our clubs and come the 14th of December, Guyana will have a brilliant year-end-tournament.”

The GFF teamed up with Ansa McAl Trading Limited under their STAG Beer brand, to host their ‘Super 16’ Year-End tournament, where $4M in prize money will be up for grabs.
Elite League clubs Fruta Conquerors, Milerock, GDF, Western Tigers, Victoria Kings, Buxton United, Ann’s Grove and Den Amstel FC, along with Rivers View from Bartica, Guyana Rush Saints from the Rupununi and a representative each from Berbice and Essequibo will make up competing teams.

According to Head of Competitions, Ian Alves, the three clubs from a play-off amongst the East Demerara Football Association (EDFA) champions Soesdyke Falcons from the East Bank Football Association (EBFA), as well as two Georgetown Football Association (GFA) clubs, will also be involved.

While venues were not announced, Alves said the tournament will see matches being played on December 14, 16, 21, and 23 with the Group stage matches, while quarter-finals are set for December 25 and 26.

Semi-Finals are tabled for December 29 and the final on January 1, 2019.
The winners will pocket $1M, second-placers $1M, third-placers $500 000 and fourth-placers will each receive a trophy.