In an effort to facilitate the smooth transfer of local players between during the covid-19 pandemic, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has opted to extend the 2020/2021 pre-season transfer window to August 23rd.
This was communicated to members of the federation by a press release. According to the correspondence, the decision, which was endorsed by FIFA through Director of Football Regulatory James Kitching, was instituted following discussions with its regional member associations, affiliates and elite league clubs.
The original transfer period was from June 1st-July 31st. The release disclosed that FIFA endorsed the GFF’s decision yesterday due to the request being consistent with the guidelines regarding Covid-19, which was approved by the Bureau of the Council on April 6th.
According to the FIFA release which was signed by Kitching, “We refer to the above mentioned matter as well as to your correspondence dated 4 August 2020, by means of which your association ‘request[s] the permission of FIFA to extend the GFF Transfer Window to August 23, 2020 for all categories of players (i.e. men, women, and amateurs)’. Consistent with (i) the guidelines and decisions regarding COVID-19 approved by the Bureau of the Council on 6 April 2020 and (ii) FIFA circular no. 1720, we are pleased to inform you that your request to amend your registration period(s) is granted.”
The correspondence continued, “As a result, we kindly inform you that the relevant dates of the first registration period applicable to the 2020/2021 season will be amended by FIFA in the Transfer Matching System as follows: from 1 June to 23 August 2020.”
President of the GFF Wayne Forde, said the GFF “…is actively drawing up plans for a robust restart of football nationally and would like to give each registered club the opportunity to prepare for a competitive season. The GFF will be announcing these plans once the COVID-19 Task Force and the Ministry of Public Health provide the requisite clearance for the resumption of competitive sports. In the meantime, we urge our members to continue to respect the COVID-19 guidelines.”
Similarly, GFF General Secretary, Ian Alves said, “In light of the continuing situation concerning the COVID-19 pandemic, and the public advisories as issued by the relevant Government Agencies, and the fact that the GFF Secretariat is only opened on a need-to basis, having only essential staff on duty on any given day, RMA’s, clubs, and other interested stakeholders are encouraged to conduct their transfer transactions via the use of electronic communication. Transfer requests can be emailed to competition@guyanafootball.org or info@guyanafootball.org, and these will be responded to as necessary.”
