Despite CONCACAF’s letter endorsing the GFF’s constitutional power to modify the Elite League, Slingerz FC Manager Colin Aaron is adamant that his club will not compete in the event, and that legal action against the federation is a possibility.
When questioned if his team’s position has changed since submitting an official letter of non-participation to the GFF, Aaron declared, “No, Slingerz’ position remains the same, our position remains the same”.
In response to the query if legal action could be taken against the GFF, Aaron replied, “Our next move is based on the constitution. It could, once we fulfil all the mechanisms put in place by the constitution. The only next step is legal action”.
He further stated CONCACAF’s letter specified that the current issue is an internal matter, and that they simply gave their opinion after reviewing information which was provided to them by the GFF.
Aaron declared he never disputed the fact that article 36 of the GFF constitution provides the authority for the entity to modify rules and regulations of tournaments, but that the clubs and the federation simply had a binding agreement from the inception of the league.
The impasse between the GFF and the four disgruntled clubs [the others are Alpha United, Pele FC and Georgetown Football Club] is based on the former’s decision to expand the tournament to 10 teams without consulting the original eight teams.
The teams slated to appear for their maiden campaign are Topp XX of Linden and Victoria Kings of the East Coast of Demerara.
The clubs contend the move by the GFF is illegal and infringes on the federation’s constitution, and the original contract signed with the then Normalization Committee, stipulated that relegation and promotion shall only occur at the end of the second season.
The four clubs staged a joint press conference declaring their respective objections to the entire process, and proposing adjudication to resolve the matter. Following the forum, the quartet informed the GFF officially of their intention not to participate. To date the four teams have yet to produce an actual contract.
However, the governing entity, CONCACAF, in a letter signed by General Secretary Philippe Moggio confirmed that the GFF has the constitutional authority to modify the Elite League Championship.
The correspondence dispelled several arguments put forward by the foursome, stating emphatically the actions of the GFF are constitutionally correct, and that the inclusion of the teams will not affect the voting membership of the congress.
The letter further stated that the agreement entered into between the then Normalization Committee and the clubs at the start of the Elite League cannot be considered a binding contract, as the GFF has the constitutional right to alter rules and regulations of any tournament.
The Elite League is slated to commence on November 20th at the Demerara Cricket Club ground.
