Less than two days before the staging of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) elections, several associates of the four affiliates that were barred by the Electoral Committee from voting at the forum staged a protest outside the headquarters of the federation, advocating for the restoration of their voting rights.
The protest, which was attended by supporters and associates of the four debarred entities, Santos, Western Tigers, Guyana Police Force (GPF), and West Demerara, occurred at the GFF’s Section-K Campbellville headquarters yesterday.
Georgetown Football Association (GFA) President Otis James, who is also a member of the opposing former President Franklin Wilson’s slate, led the protest, which featured approximately 15 individuals displaying placards criticising the decision of the electoral committee and alleging corruption and manipulation on the part of the incumbent GFF executive. The remonstration lasted for approximately 50 minutes.
conduct by the current GFF President, Wayne Forde
The GFF Electoral Committee disclosed on Saturday, December 2nd, that only 18 of the 22 affiliates are eligible to vote, declaring that Elite League clubs GPF, Santos, Western Tigers, and solitary association West Demerara are ineligible owing to being in good standing based on provisions of the GFF Statutes and the GFF Electoral Code, including Article 15.1 of the GFF Statutes.
The Electoral Committee revealed that the eligible voters are: Bartica Football Association; Berbice Football Association; East Bank Football Association; East Coast Demerara Football Association; Essequibo/Pomeroon Football Association; Georgetown Football Association (GFA); Upper Demerara Football Association; Rupununi Football Association; Guyana Football Coaches’ Association; Guyana Football Referees’ Council; The Women’s Football Association; Ann’s Grove Football Club; Buxton United Football Club; Den Amstel Football Club; Fruta Conquerors Football Club; Guyana Defence Force Football Club (GDF); Milerock Football Club; and Victoria Kings Football Club.
To date, Santos FC and the GPF have publicly criticised the decisions of the Electoral Committee and the GFF. Santos has officially penned a letter to FIFA seeking their intervention to resolve the issue, citing that an independent arbiter is required as they are uncertain of receiving an objective hearing.
The lawmen have also issued an official missive from its president, Senior Superintendent Jermaine Johnson, to the federation challenging the criteria for eligibility employed by the electoral committee and accusing the aforesaid body of attempting to tarnish their reputation.
In a similar vein, former President Wilson also lodged an official complaint with FIFA and has contended that the Electoral Committee lacks the jurisdiction and authority to debar or suspend the voting rights of members in the absence of due process for the affected parties. He further stated that suspension of members is the sole authority of the GFF’s Congress.
