Five members of the national football team known as the Golden Jaguars have been provisionally suspended by the Guyana Football Federation, a release from the body stated yesterday.
Trayon Bobb, Kelsey Benjamin, Nicholas McArthur, Kevin Dundas and Sese Norville were slapped with the suspension as a result of their alleged participation in an unsanctioned tournament in Buxton.
Several registered coaches and match officials have been provisionally suspended from all football activity with immediate effect pending investigation by the GFF, the release stated.
The matter is to be investigated by the GFF’s Disciplinary Committee.
“The individuals will be unable to participate in any international or club football until the resolution of Disciplinary Committee proceedings and could face further disciplinary action,” the release stated.
“They will be notified of the venue, date and time of their separate hearings in due course,” it added.
The match officials suspended are Dwayne Johnson, Deon Feasall and Roydon Ramsay while the coaches are Dwayne Jacobs, Philbert Moffatt, Sharon Abrams and Sherwin Neblett.
“This action, in line with the GFF’s constitutional mandate and responsible governance duties, has been taken following notification of an unsanctioned football event at the Buxton Community Ground,” the release stated.
“Further GFF investigations into the participation of other individuals are ongoing and may result in similar disciplinary action in due course.”
According to the release, the GFF Constitution, approved by FIFA, contains specific clauses related to unauthorised football activity aimed at defending the integrity of the game and protecting the safety and wellbeing of its members.
The GFF release stated that under current official COVID-19 restrictions designed to saves lives and protect communities; gatherings of more than 10 people have been banned.
“Since the onset of the pandemic, the only football event the GFF has sanctioned with approval from the National COVID-19 Task Force has been the GFF “Bounce Back Classic”, which took place at the turn of the year behind closed doors without fans and under strict health protocols,” the release ended.
