PRESIDENT of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Wayne Forde, said the Federation wants to ensure that all grounds are covered, before acting on the recommendations of the Board of Inquiry (BoI) into sexual harassment allegations against their Head Referee Stanley Lancaster and Referee Assessor Roy McArthur.

In March of this year, the GFF had set up a BoI, following allegations of sexual harassment by female referees and was conducted by a five-member panel, chaired by Dr Karen Pilgrim, vice-president of the Guyana Olympic Association.

Other members of the Board are Dr Melissa Ifill of the University of Guyana; Karen Joseph, Human Resources Consultant; Karen De Souza and Joy Nichola Marcus-Reid both of Red Thread.

The report was submitted by Dr Pilgrim on November 19 following the completion of a thorough investigation.

According to the 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.

The GFF Executive Committee met on Saturday, December 1. Forde said they “had a preliminary review of the report and there will be another layer of engagement with members of the BpI.”

Forde, at the time, speaking with Chronicle Sport, highlighted that the GFF is cognizant of the fact, that “the final decision on this matter will have dramatic impact on the lives of many. In fact, it may already have on those who are victims of the situation that took place.”

“But we have to be very careful because ultimately, when we make the decision, we have to be able to deal with the consequences. So we have to ensure that we consult with the people that can guide the decision-making process.

“If we have questions, we have to ensure we give the BoI an opportunity to answer those questions. It took some time, but anything that could change the lives of people needs to be handled with some level of care,” Forde stated.

Some questioned the composition of the BoI, since it featured women who either in their official or personal capacity have been publicly vocal on their position as it relates to abuse, rape or sexual harassment against women.

However, Forde, when asked about the duo being offered a fair review of their allegations against them, the GFF president pointed out, “I think you will always have an opinion on the composition of any board, but I think we have to trust the professionalism of people at times and we think that the individuals who conducted the BoI are professionals,

“I think they were objective in their evaluation and in their taking of statements and testimony and we believe the report that they have submitted is a good, solid, balanced report.

“Of course it is our responsibility to ask questions on the areas where we might need clarity because the final decision is with the Executive Committee.”

Meanwhile, there was no word on the case against 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 had 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.”