FIFA Head of Member Associations, Primo Corvaro says the reform process to bring the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) constitution into alignment with other members of the world governing body has not yet been completed.
The process which is expected to last over two days, will be facilitated by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) and the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) representatives.
Corvaro will head the process alongside CONCACAF Director of Legal Affairs Marco Leal. The other members of the constitutional reform body include the members of the Normalization Committee and several legal representatives inclusive of Attorneys-at-Law Kalam-Azad Juman-Yassin and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament James Bond. Speaking at a press briefing hosted at the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) office, he said the current process being undertaken is not novel within the realm of FIFA, hinting that the entire procedure is about finding common ground between what is permitted and actuality.
According to Corvaro an example of such will be the separation of powers, declaring as an example to the gathering that a representative of the committee cannot become a sitting member of the judicial body.
Corvaro further said the new constitution will promote balance within the membership while declaring that to promote gender development there will be at least one female on every association executive body as mandated by FIFA as a new feature of the constitution.
The FIFA Representative noted the new constitution will allow specific clubs to become direct members of the federation and acquire voting rights at GFF congresses irrespective of their traditional affiliation.
He further noted that in order for clubs to achieve this status, they will have to comply with the regulations of the CONCACAF Club Licensing statutes while participating in ‘Elite Football’ which is the highest level in the country.
Corvaro declared that the regional associations will have the power to run football at their level once approved by the GFF which will be constituted as amateur football, declaring however “Elite Football doesn’t mean professional, it means the top league within FIFA, CONCACAF and all the confederations”.
He noted the contentious Interim Management Committee (IMC) structure will no longer exist due the separation of powers, declaring the nomination of the delegates will no longer be done by the executive body.
Asked about the possibility of extending the timeframe of the Normalization Committee, he said “It depends on the speed of the process”. He noted if the draft constitution is rejected by the current delegates, there will be issues and it will delay the overall procedure.
However he reaffirmed the Normalization Committee is working towards the deadline set for September even though the possibility of extension exists.
Corvaro declared that the first step is for the adoption of the new constitution when it is completed. He said this action will be taken at the convening of the first congress by the current electoral constituents while noting that the constitution must be in force before elections can be held.
According to Corvaro once the issues are resolved, the world body will assist in the development of the game from all perspectives.
He further noted the entity can’t commence its developmental ambitions for Guyana with a team that will only be here for a few months, hinting “All FIFA assistance will occur after the process is completed”.
