THE Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has officially written the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), reiterating that the GFF has the responsibility for organising and supervising all football within the confines of Guyana.

The response was sent to GFF after the Federation wrote FIFA to inform them of a recent phenomenon where a number of small-sided football games are organised and hosted at the National Gymnasium and elsewhere without the permission of the GFF.

This trend, with its disregard for the GFF Tournament Schedule, GFF Constitution and FIFA’s regulations, prompted the GFF to seek FIFA’s guidance and direction on the matter as the Federation seeks to protect the product of football.

The GFF had also written to the Minister of Social Cohesion, Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture, Hon. George Norton, pointing out to him its concerns that permission was recently granted for use of the National Gymnasium for a football event dubbed ‘Rio Futsal’.

Among the other recently unsanctioned tournaments were the 592 Beer Inter-Village Football Festival, the Dragon Stout Street-Ball Community Cup and the ‘Beat Dem Bad’ competition.

These unregulated tournaments also involved players of the GFF Elite League, whose clubs are Members of the GFF, and FIFA was clear in its observations and recommendations.

The Federation informed the Minister that these events were not sanctioned by the GFF and therefore the participation of its players and officials would not have been permitted.

The GFF sought the support of Dr Norton in ensuring that only competitions sanctioned and regulated by the GFF are played at facilities controlled by the Government of Guyana, pointing out the Federation’s role in the regulation and sanctioning of football.

The World Governing Body, in its letter sent by FIFA Head of Member Associations Governance Services, Luca Nicola stated that according to Art. 11 par. 1 of the FIFA Statutes, the GFF must be responsible for organising and supervising football in all of its forms in its country.

Furthermore, Art. 72 par. 1 of the FIFA Statutes establishes that “Players and teams affiliated to member associations or provisional members or the confederations may not play matches or make sporting contact with players or teams that are not affiliated to member associations or provisional members of the confederations without the approval of FIFA”.

In this context, FIFA further take note that Art. 13 par. 1 let. c) and h) of the GFF Constitution specifically stipulate that the GFF Members must “take part in competitions (if applicable) or other sporting activities organised/approved by the Federation” and are not allowed “to maintain any relations of a sporting nature with entities (e.g. clubs, leagues) that are not Members or Affiliates” of the GFF.

Finally, art. 13 par. 2 of the GFF Constitution provides for the possibility to sanction, as provided for in the Constitution, any Member who violates any of the aforementioned obligations.

The GFF is reminding all that it is the only Constitutional Body, recognised by CFU, CONCACAF, and FIFA for the control of Football in all its forms in the jurisdiction of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana; in accordance of Article 1:1 of the GFF Statutes. Articles 13:c and 13:h of the GFF’s constitution is clear on this issue also.

The GFF, in a release, reiterated in the strongest possible terms that it would be enforcing the Constitution and also reminded all Stakeholders that it welcomes the heightened interest in the organisation of football competitions, but must insist that this is done in accordance with the Constitution of the Guyana Football Federation.