Despite the GFF initiating an investigation into former Head of Referees Department, Stanley Lancaster officiating in the Linden Mayor’s Cup, the dismissed referee continued to officiate in the event, serving as the on- field official for the final on Tuesday April 23rd.
The former FIFA Referee acted in the capacity of the main official for the Winners Connection and Eagles championship match, which was decided on penalty kicks at the Mackenzie Sports Club [MSC] ground.
The GFF had launched an investigation to ascertain the basis behind Lancaster’s participation in the inaugural competition. This was disclosed by GFF Communications and Public Relations Director Debra Francis.
The aforementioned response came in wake of Stabroek Sport attempting to solicit a comment from GFF President Wayne Forde on April 7th.
Lancaster, who was dismissed by the federation on January 8th 2019, had functioned as a match official for several matches. They include the Amelia’s Ward and Capital FC match on March 31st and the Topp XX and Milerock-B clash on April 5th.
Efforts to contact the GFF President once again for a comment on Lancaster’s continued participation and status of the investigation proved futile. An email sent on April 25th is yet to be acknowledged.
Among the questions posed to Forde was “The GFF revealed that an investigation was launched into former Referees Department head Stanley Lancaster officiating matches in the Linden Mayor’s Cup. What is the status of the investigation in light of the fact that Lancaster once again served in the capacity of on field official for the semi-final and eventual final between Winners Connection and Eagles? Did the GFF approve Lancaster’s continued officiating in the event?”
Similarly, Referees Council President Dion Innis opted against commenting on the investigation, stating, “I have no comment on the matter, I would appreciate it if you would contact the GS [General Secretary Renella Bourne] on any matter relating to the GFF.”
An attempt to solicit a comment from General Secretary Bourne was also unsuccessful, as an email went unanswered up to press time.
Meanwhile, Terrence Mitchell, President of the UDFA during a brief comment said, “No one from the GFF contacted me, no one contacted the UDFA on this matter. They [GFF] would not contact me regarding the referees. That is their level.”
Lancaster was officially sacked by the federation following the findings of a Commission of Inquiry [CoI] into the harassment of female referees and officials. Referees Assessor Roy McArthur was also provisionally suspended.
The inquiry, which commenced in March 2018, was commissioned following allegations of harassment of several female referees against senior members of the referee’s fraternity.
On February 2nd 2018, 17 male and female referees signed a three-page letter, calling for the removal of Lancaster, citing unprofessionalism and incompetence among other issues.
The five-member commission that presided over the COI included Chairman Dr. Karen Pilgrim, Dr. Melissa Ifill of the University of Guyana, Karen Joseph, Human Resources Consultant, Karen De Souza, Red Thread and Joy Nichola Marcus-Red, also of Red Thread.
