The Guyana Men’s football team kicked off the 2022-23 CONCACAF Nations League Tournament on a positive note, on 4th June, in the Dominican Republic, by beating Montserrat 2 – 1. Three days later, at the National Track and Field Centre at Leonora, they won again, defeating Bermuda by a score line of 2 – 1. Our footballers were in euphoria, sitting at the top of Group B of League B. There are three leagues consisting of four groups each in the 41-team tournament.
On 11th June, in another home fixture at the Leonora venue, although scoring twice, the Guyana team conceded six goals in a loss to the seventh ranked CONCACAF team, Haiti. Three days later in the Dominican Republic, in the return fixture with Haiti, Guyana succumbed once again, losing 6 – 0. Little did the Guyanese players know that their ‘on- the-pitch’ woes would soon follow them off the field of play.
As of writing (5th September), almost three months later, it has been brought to this newspaper’s attention that several of the local players are still awaiting their contractually due compensation from the Guyana Football Federation (GFF). (The status of payment to the 11 overseas-based players of the 23-member squad has not been ascertained, but it is alleged to be that of the local footballers). The players were partially compensated for their attendance at a training camp held in Trinidad and Tobago, prior to the start of the tournament.
Why haven’t the young men, who wore our national colours with pride, and gave their all whilst representing our nation, been compensated as per their contracts? What feeble concocted explanation will the GFF Executive offer this time around for their (once again demonstrated) incompetence?
This publication has seen a copy of the contract offered to the players, which was signed by GFF General Secretary Ian Alves, outlining the terms of their compensation for the tournament. Under the first of two paragraphs captioned “CONCACAF Nations League 2022 Payments,” it states, “Match Fee – Starter: 350 USD [US Dollars]; Match Fee – Substitute Appearance: 250 USD; Match Fee – Unused Substitute: 150 USD.” In the second paragraph, it states, “Win Bonus: 200 USD; Draw Bonus: 100 USD; Goal Bonus: 25 USD per goal (max bonus of 4 goals).”
The contract also states, “Per diem: All players – 50 USD per night for in camp days prior to 1st June 2022.” In the penultimate paragraph, which begins with Player Payment Schedule in bold letters, it states, “All players will receive an advance of 200 USD, the final payment will be done upon the return in effect of wire transfer/cheque payment on or before June 30th 2022.”
At the Congress held in May at the GFF Training Centre at Providence, the GFF presented its operating budget for the year. A few lines in the budget are worthy of note. The top of page five under the subheading ‘Grants’ lists the following entries: FIFA Admin & Operation $208,500,000 – split in two equal payments of $104,250,000 in January and July; FIFA Travel $41,700,000 – January; CONCACAF OCP Funds $26,062,500. As these figures clearly demonstrate the GFF is flush with funding from their overseas coordinating federations.
Three entries under the Administration and Operation Section should also be noted. Line one of the first page provides the entries for Salaries (Employment cost inclusive of Statutory Payments) which total $90,346,956 (12 equal monthly entries of $7,528,883). On line five of the same page is the Exco Stipend (a fixed allowance paid to members of the GFF Executive), which totals $9,600,000 (12 monthly entries of $800,000).
Now, for the tough questions for the GFF. Two months have passed since the deadline set by the GFF for player compensation for the CONCACAF National League Tournament with not a word from the GFF. Instead, they have otherwise been busily engaged with the very urgent matter of the amendments to the GFF Constitution (SN editorial 24th August, “GFF Constitution Amendments”). Have the monthly salaries been paid for June, July and August? Have the eight GFF Executive members received their monthly stipends of $100,000 each for the same period? How about the National Coach Jamaal Shabazz, who is being compensated to the tune of $1,590,000 per month? How about the coaching staff who assisted the squad before and during the four games? Have they been paid? If none of these people have been paid then the GFF’s default is across the board, though still questionable. However, if everyone but the players have been receiving cheques, then it would appear that there is a problem of discrimination. The players have fulfilled their contracts and should have been paid a long time ago.
The GFF needs to state why they have not paid the players as stipulated in contracts they drew up and which were agreed to by both parties. The issue cannot be a lack of liquidity, since the GFF should be flush with the funds from FIFA and CONCACAF. This callous disregard for players is disrespectful and a national disgrace. The GFF Executive should be utterly ashamed.
What is it going to take for the players, who are mostly from low-income earning areas, to be paid? Government intervention? A joint letter from the players to FIFA? This could lead to an emergency audit from an international firm and FIFA stepping in and taking over the GFF once again. Is the GFF really ready to risk this? Just pay the players.
