– pledged at previous meeting to eradicate this constant issue
In what has become a habitual action, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), despite promising to eradicate the sloth of their payment apparatus following a meeting with the programme, has reneged on that pledge and once again failed to remunerate the Golden Jaguars their Nations League and Play-In match fees.
This was confirmed by a source close to the programme, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
According to the source, “The manager of the team, Rawle Adams, relayed the message to some of the players that the GFF doesn’t have the funds to pay them. Basically, they are saying they didn’t expect to play games in November despite the team under this administration contesting matches during that window for years, and that they will have to wait on FIFA funding in mid-January to be able to pay the players on or before the 31st of that month. Basically, the players will not be paid for Christmas and have to wait until next year to receive their money.”
Efforts to contact GFF President Wayne Forde for a comment proved futile. A message via the digital platform WhatsApp went unanswered up to press time. Similarly, an electronic mail sent to the federation’s communications department seeking clarity on the situation also did not garner a response.
The players inked contracts with the federation that stipulated that they will be remunerated on or before December 10th.
This constitutes all of the November fixtures that were in the CONCACAF Gold Cup Play-In. Meanwhile, some players are still owed for a Nations League fixture in October.
The contract, which was signed by General Secretary Vanetta Sampson and seen in this publication, states under the caption “Player Payment Schedule”: “Match Fee: Starter: 525 USD; Match Fee: Substitute Appearance: 375 USD; Match Fee: Unused Substitute: 225 USD; Win Bonus: 300 USD; Draw Bonus: 150 USD; Goal Bonus: 40 USD per goal (maximum bonus of 4 goals); Per Diem: All players: 55 USD per night for in-camp days (10th, 11th, 12th, 16th, 20th November 2024).”
According to the above-mentioned document, the players were to receive their final payment on or prior to December 10th, 2024th. However, that date has elapsed.
The GFF during the month of November staged a meeting with the members of the Golden Jaguars to address several issues surrounding the program. The meeting, which was held at the Royal International Hotel on Mandela Avenue, was attended by the GFF top brass in the form of President Forde and Vice Presidents Bruce Lovell and Rawlston Adams.
The meeting was held after 23 players of both local and foreign persuasion, via a signed correspondence, publicly detailed shortcomings associated with the administration of the programme, with members of the local contingent even opting against training in protest. Chief among the issues cited by the players are inadequate travel arrangements and late and inconsistent payment, among others.
The source expanded, “The players are owed thousands of dollars; each player is owed at least US$1500, which is for all the games in November while some players are still owed for October. Despite the meeting where assurances were given to the players that these situations would be remedied, it has once again occurred, and now the players have lost all faith in the GFF and, in particular, the president, who they believe should resign. Many of the players have responsibilities and families and have made commitments to utilise this money. This is Christmas. The players are suffering because of this. The reality is this would have never happened so consistently if this was cricket. Several players have reached out via messages and have yet to get a response from the GFF on the situation. They had a meeting, and they promised the players that this would not happen again, and it’s the same thing: the players are just tired and fed up with the Forde administration. The GFF is the only one benefiting from football and not the players.”
“This is the same federation that says that players are well compensated and leave the program with thousands of dollars that they can afford to buy cars, which is far from the truth, especially since they are owed on a consistent basis. This clearly shows that the GFF doesn’t respect the players because they constantly owe them and makes you wonder are the stipends for the GFF executive owed given that the players are owed? How can the associations remain silent on this matter? This is absolutely unacceptable and the players prefer not to play under this administration.”
