President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Wayne Forde, has confirmed that the national players who were provisionally suspended for their participation in an unsanctioned event in Buxton, have faced the Disciplinary Committee.
Forde made the disclosure at a press conference yesterday at the GFF’s National Training Centre, Providence.
“Yes, all of the players have gone before the disciplinary committee. I think they were out for almost a week and a half to two weeks. And the matter has been ruled on. And the committee felt that the time that they were away was adequate.”
The players who were initially suspended are Trayon Bobb, Kelsey Benjamin, Nicholas McArthur, Kevin Dundas and Sese Norville following their alleged participation in an unsanctioned competition.
Similarly, several coaches and match officials have also been slapped with provisional suspensions.
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.
The GFF did not disclose if the disciplinary committee has conducted meetings with the aforesaid officials.
Forde revealed that the disciplinary committee also ruled that the GFF failed to provide sufficient evidence of the respective players’ participation in the tournament.
“They also felt that the GFF failed to provide sufficient evidence that they did participate. While I must say many of the players did admit, but we are unable to, to collect the sheet. Because of course, no one will give that to us. And the disciplinary committee being an independent judicial arm has to implement disciplinary measures based on the law of the regulations. So, while a player may say yes, I did play, the body would prefer to see a sheet where that player was registered to play the game.”
Forde added, “We think that a good lesson was learned. We think the point was made. And through our own other communication mechanism, we’re letting these players know that while we cannot solve all of your domestic problems, you have to see the evidence of the investment that we’re making, to help you become better in your profession. And hopefully, that will lead on for some of them not all to a more prosperous life in the future. But this is what we can do. And as time permits us to do more, we will try to do more.”
