Former Guyana Football Federation (GFF) President Christopher Matthias said the disentitlement of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), Western Tigers, and Santos, as well as the West Demerara Association, by the Electoral Committee is an instrument of the past associated with impending elections.
In an exclusive interview with Stabroek Sport yesterday, Matthias stated, “It’s most unfortunate. This type of disenfranchisement of clubs and associations has been selectively and conveniently ongoing from time immemorial. It should not happen without just cause.”
The GFF Electoral Committee officially released the list of eligible voters for tomorrow’s scheduled elections, disclosing that 18 entities will be eligible to exercise their franchise and that Elite League clubs Santos, Western Tigers, the Guyana Police Force (GPF), and West Demerara are ineligible as they were determined not to be in good standing.
According to the Electoral Committee via an electronic email, “On the third, having regard to the provisions of the GFF Statutes and the GFF Electoral Code, including Article 15.1 of the GFF Statutes, the Electoral Committee has determined that the following Members are in good standing: 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.”
Asked whether the GFF, as the local governing body of association football, has ensured, via some form of compliance mechanism, that all members are in good standing and whether failure to do so gives rise to suspicion of possible and alleged self-interest and voter suppression, he said, “Most definitely. One just has to look at Art. 2 of the GFF’s Constitution, and you would notice that as the governing body, it is their mandate to ensure its member associations are in good standing and, if found not to be as such, to be given every measure of assistance and/or support to achieve such.”
Probed if the clubs [Santos, Western Tigers, and GPF], given their newly disclosed poor standing and status, have been allowed to compete in the KFC Elite League and receive financial support from the GFF, he noted, “In understanding the structure of the GFF, one can clearly notice that its composition is made up of the various associations that are comprised of the respective clubs.
Thus, the GFF is its member association or club. Their status, developed or undeveloped, is a reflection of the good standing or lack thereof of the GFF. As to whether the clubs and associations should have been allowed to play and also receive financial assistance from their parent body, the GFF, it would depend on the principles on which football is being administered and managed within the organisation.”
He further said, “It is interesting to note that one of the reasons preferred for the ineligibility of the three clubs and one association to be unable to vote at this Congress is their not having held elections within the last four years.
Yet these very clubs and associations were eligible to vote at the recent Congress, which purported to adopt an amendment to the GFF’s Constitution for the current president to enjoy a third term. Something doesn’t smell right.”
Forde, during a previous interview with this publication, stated that he is uncertain of the implications of the third-term statute inside the entity’s constitution and that he is conferring with legal minds to clarify that issue. He has remained silent on the topic since.
According to Article 36(4), “no person may serve as president for more than three terms of office (whether consecutive or not). All other members (including any vice president) of the Council may serve for no more than three terms of office (whether consecutive or not). Any partial term of office of more than 24 months shall count as one full term.”
However, on August 27, 2022, Forde and GFF General Secretary Ian Alves signed off on the amended statutes, which include an annexation (point 2) that reads, “The term limits as defined in Article 36(4) of these statutes shall only apply as from the elections of the members of the Council, which shall take place following the adoption of these statutes.”.
Questioned if President Forde should have cleared the air on the uncertainty of the third term statute, which could possibly pave the way for an additional 12 years, and does his failure to do so confirm people’s suspicion, Matthias opined, “From what is being peddled, this third term is not a third term for the incumbent. The constitutional amendment is being interpreted as three terms starting at these elections, thus enabling the current president to remain in office for twelve more years in addition to the eight already served. One can see the obvious reason for the deafening silence.”
