Football has for many years been classified as the undisputed king of sport, played on every continent and in almost if not all 195 recognized countries that comprise the world.
This is despite its undesirable record of having the most corrupt officials in the sports world.
The little country in South America called Guyana has had its fair share of scandals and this is supported by penalties of bans and suspensions over the past decade.
This is not to say that poor governance did not exist prior to that period, but close association of local officials to high-ranking members of FIFA, CONCACAF and the CFU made it seem as though no such deeds occurred.
However, Guyanese need not be reminded of the sordid events that saw top officials of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) receive lengthy bans and suspensions following thorough investigations by FIFA in the cash for votes saga [Bin Hammam 2011 Scandal].
This is why they must remain vigilant and try to understand the issues hampering the development of the game.
As if that negative development was not enough pain on the sport’s landscape, what followed must go down as the darkest period in the history of Guyana’s football that left the sport with its biggest debt.
Everyone felt that the emergence of new leadership would have paid heed to FIFA’s judgement and avoid the temptations to enter the realm of deception and mal-administration, but the new leaders remained on the same path as their predecessors.
The most glaring example of the poor handling of the federation’s coffers was the debt burden that was left, [a debt that haunted and stymied the present administration in their attempts to chart its developmental course], while the failure to bring closure to the suspicion of fraud in the Mexico World Cup Qualifier that was switched to the USA, continues to haunt the sport until today.
No one has been held to account for the disappointment that local football fans were subjected to through the deprivation of witnessing some of the world’s best players at the time showcase their skills against our ‘Golden Jaguars’ on home soil, while the monies accrued for the venue change from all accounts were palpably far lower than was previously forecast.
The numbers [less than US$100,000] that were subsequently declared was what rightly gave rise to speculations of mal-administration, deception and possibly fraud. And while the current administration announced its intent via a mandate from its General Council to fully investigate the matter, nothing new has emerged in terms of the direction of the investigation.
What is even more alarming is the fact that a key official at the time is still involved in the sport at a very high level and has been operating very close to the federation in a favoured capacity.
Selected
This individual was selected as a member of a travelling contingent for the Golden Jaguars’ maiden tour of Brazil, a venture which ended embarrassingly when members of the national team refused to play their final practice match due to unpaid wages.
The GFF President seems to have no desire to hold anyone accountable in this matter or even those with allegations of misconduct, but appears intent on believing that Guyana’s participation internationally can suddenly be interpreted as development, while the local landscape is riddled with reports of unseemly skirmishes, confusion and downright neglect. Is the UDFA and Referees Council even functional?
Additionally, the GFF President is likely to drop a bombshell on the local football fraternity shortly, but many believe that that announcement will mark the beginning of the end for the administration.
He is expected to announce the return of a storied promotional group to manage the GFF year-end event, a period that is synonymous with their profile and brand, but just as was the scenario a few years ago, the talk of similar mobilization to thwart his efforts is reverberating around the fraternity.
In the absence of closure to one of the world’s most topical subjects, the stance against sexual harassment, the corporate community must apply pressure to the GFF to rid itself of persons who have used their office or influence to harass individuals for their own personal gain.
The business community and the government decision makers here will have to show fortitude and demand a thorough investigation including a timeline for its completion with severe punishment for anyone found culpable of similar acts.
To do otherwise could show signs of an uncaring attitude towards those affected by the scourge. The exposure of what is occurring in the football family currently will continue.
The GFF has been found wanting on several occasions with one suspended official being seen in the VIP Lounge at the recent CONCACAF Nations League fixture against Barbados rubbing shoulders with high-ranking executives, while the justice delayed, justice denied syndrome seems to have permeated the corridors of the governing body.
Guyana’s football will never develop under these circumstances where the appearance of some being seen as above the law is clear as day.
Examples of unambiguous favouritism for certain corporate entities and promoters are ubiquitous within the realms of power and the requirement to act fairly has evidently disappeared from the GFF’s convenient ethos on accountability and transparency in contravention of FIFA’s directive.
