Klass clears up football confusion

Nov 14, 2008 Sports

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Lambastes senior footballers for non-performance

By Michael Benjamin
Amidst vociferous calls for his resignation, embattled President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Colin Klass remains adamant that unless these calls are verified as authentic and unanimous, there is no need for him to acquiesce to them.
He also lashed out at the senior team saying that while they bellyache over improved payment they were not delivering the goods.

Klass made these remarks at a press conference held at the GFF headquarters, Section K Campbellville, yesterday morning. He said that as far as he knew there was no disgruntlement on the part of the footballers. He said that he learnt of such developments upon reading the local newspapers. “It is news to me that the senior team has retired,” Klass stated.
Klass elaborated on his accusations of under-performance of the footballers. “For the year the GFF has spent a total of $23,400,000 on the Golden Jaguars plus an additional $M6 on stipend but the team has failed to deliver any substantial returns yet they have the gumption to bellyache about being underpaid.” Klass emphasized that the above-mentioned sum has not yet undergone an auditory process. He said that all the GFF’s only request of the footballers was that they qualify for the World Cup and the Digicel finals.
The GFF boss debunked claims reported in some sections of the media that he had vacated the team. “I left Trinidad to attend to certain business even before the team played their first game,” Klass pronounced. He said that shortly after the team lost he returned, accompanied by Shanghai and issued encouraging words to the players in a bid to boost their morale.
Responding to the issue of outstanding funds to the squad Klass intimated that the GFF had agreed to pay the players US$20 per day starting from the first day of encampment on October 29, with an extra US$5 if they had won the game.
Klass admitted that the players did not receive all of the money owed to them. He said that this was due to unforeseen expenses encountered by the GFF. These included medical bills and additional charges for airline tickets among others. He promised that the players will eventually receive all monies outstanding but he is asking them to be patient.
Klass said that he was amazed at the comments and allegations emanating from some sections of the media that suggest that there is a rift in the football community.
He admitted that there have been some dissenting murmurs emanating from some players. He scoffed at these outbursts saying, “These players are in their twilight years and will soon have to step aside; so if they choose to do so now, so be it!”
Giving an overview of the Trinidad imbroglio, Klass explained that the issue of his resignation was not discussed. He said that while in Trinidad he had called a meeting to address the concerns raised by the footballers.
It was during this meeting that Collie Hercules, Walter Moore and Randolph Jerome were heard muttering that “I done with this thing.” I have not heard anyone saying ‘I want Mr Klass to step down nor is there any documented evidence to confirm that players have said so,” Klass reiterated.
Klass said that GFF officials will endeavor to ascertain the merits of the players’ contention. He said that his executives would want to see solid documentary evidence that a rift exists between the players and his organization.
Klass said that his executives would be addressing the Trinidad imbroglio. He said that within seven days the GFF will dispatch letters to the disgruntled players seeking clarification of their grouses. The players will be given a one-week ultimatum to reply to the letters.
The GFF boss was also asked to comment on the resignation of Technical Director Jamal Shabazz. He explained that Shabazz’ was appointed to assist with the technical aspects of the game. He lauded the intervention of FIFA Vice President Jack Warner, who he said was very instrumental in Shabazz’ appointment.
Klass said that while Shabazz will no longer be available to the local team on a twenty four hour basis, he has pledged to visit periodically to provide similar services until the GFF finds a suitable replacement. Quizzed on the time factor of such a replacement Klass emphatically pronounced, “The GFF does not have the funds to employ a Technical Director.”
Klass was then pressed to respond to his critics concerning his resignation. “I came into football voluntarily and when I decide to leave I will do so voluntarily,” he emphatically stated.
Recent reports emanating from Trinidad where local footballers were ousted from the Digicel qualifiers suggested that there was a rift within the football fraternity. Players in the squad had accused Klass of displaying an insensitive attitude to their concerns and had vowed to retire from the sport if their calls for his resignation went unheeded.

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