National forward Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson is the latest Golden Jaguar to call for new blood in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF).
The star forward echoed the sentiments of his Captain Chris Nurse and national striker, Vurlon Mills who blasted the GFF for the stagnation of the sport.
“Just like what the Captain [Nurse] said, I want to see changes in the federation, I want the incompetent people in the federation to step down or resign,” said Richardson during a recent interview with Stabroek Sport. “…As a player I feel they are trying to kill football in Guyana because their actions are saying that they don’t have the best interest of football at heart.”
Richardson placed the blame on the feet of the named executives for the team’s recent struggles and also asked where the money the federation received from the World Cup Qualifier game against Mexico that was shifted to Houston, Texas went.
“We already lost the Caribbean Cup, which we are supposed to be dominating, due to them,” said Richardson. I won’t blame the players for making us fall, I would blame the federation because they are not treating the players properly and on top of that they are saying they don’t have finances. What happened to the money they got when we played Mexico in Houston?
“They said they will pay us US$12 as an incentive if we win a game for the Caribbean Cup. To me, that is disrespect. I cannot run 90 minutes for US$12 with no match fee – that is a total disrespect; that is nothing.”
Richardson continued “I cannot go against my heart and my teammates. I can only play for Guyana again if a whole new body is in place. They have to step down… once they are gone this sport will rise again.”
The national forward who was on a hiatus during the latter part of former president, Colin Klass’ administration, also stated that he returned to the sport because he thought things would have been different, but according to him that is not the case.
“I would tell the public and the media not to support them and try and get them out of the federation – everyone of them,” said Richardson.
Meanwhile National left back, Walter Moore says he is no longer interested in playing for Guyana under the current administration as the GFF lacks vision and has badly mismanaged the sport.
In an email disseminated to the media, Moore, a veteran player of almost 15 years who has represented team Guyana at every level of football locally and internationally says he is near the peak of his career.
“I have had enough of the current figureheads of the Guyana Football Federation who have taken football in Guyana nowhere for a number of years. Now is the time we as players [need to] put a stop to this. Year after year, nothing changes with these persons,” the 28-year-old said.
Moore said after Guyana’s historic win against Trinidad and Tobago, the GFF mismanaged the team. “This has been going on long before I started to play for Guyana almost 15 years ago,” he said.
According to Moore, every time the team progresses it seems to take two steps backwards. “We need fresh people with good ideas and who are willing to work tirelessly along with the players for the future of Guyana football,” he said.
