– Chair says GFF President instructed body to take those actions
The Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the West Demerara Football Association (WDFA) has suspended several players and an official for their participation in an unsanctioned Inter-Block Championship being held at the West Demerara Secondary School ground.
According to a correspondence that was sent to all the clubs yesterday and signed by Chairwoman Grace Burgess, “We are deeply disappointed with the behaviour displayed by club coaches, officials, players, and supporters during last weekend’s matches. As a result, we are compelled to implement measures to address this conduct and enforce sanctioned where necessary. Previously, a few players were sanctioned for participating in an unsanctioned tournament on Friday, September 27, 2024, and were required to miss their next league game. On Saturday, September 28th, both Pouderoyen FC and Eagles FC had the majority of their players participate in the same unsanctioned tournament.”
The release further stated, “As a result, it is recommended that both teams be suspended and forfeit two matches each: Pouderoyen: Saturday October 5 at 4pm against Hurryate/Limitless FC and Saturday October 12th against Uprising. The opposing teams will be awarded three points and three goals for each match. Eagles FC: Sunday, October 6 against Uitvlugt Warriors and Sunday, October 13 against #1 All Star. The opposing teams will be awarded three points and three goals for each match.”
The correspondence indicated that Travis Bess, coach of Pouderoyen FC, is suspended indefinitely for his conduct on September 28th and for his involvement in the unsanctioned tournament.
The release stated that a meeting will be conducted on Friday at 6:00pm at the Den Amstel Community Centre to discuss the aforesaid matters further.
When contacted via WhatsApp messaging for a comment on the decisions by the IMC, Burgess wrote, “I suggest, it would be best if [you] can acquire whatever comment you are looking for from President [Wayne] Forde.”
Probed as to why the chairwoman of the IMC cannot provide clarity on this decision since the correspondence was affixed with her signature, she wrote, “But what you are look[ing] for, I can’t help you because whatever decisions that were taken to, was instructed to be given by that said official.”
Questioned if GFF President Forde instructed her to make those decisions, she replied, “Yes”, while adding, “We ask for his input on what was going on, and a the way forward and that was the instructions given.”
Burgess further stated that it was not a one-person decision, noting, “I am the chair for the IMC which does not include myself only for me to make a solo decision.”
Efforts to contact Forde for a comment proved futile.
The GFF had installed the IMC on May 31st to administer and bring stability to the WDFA. The other members of the body are Committee Members George Adolph, Danneze Lovell, and Joseph Prescott.
The body is expected to last for the duration of 12 months and is tasked with the daily operation of the entity in accordance with their constitution and the GFF Statutes, reviewing and updating their constitution in alignment with the federation’s edicts, regularising the structures of the clubs, and administering an eventual election.
