Referees walk-out of Cellink PL game

May 26, 2009 Sports

Pele players, coaches to face
disciplinary hearing on Thursday

Intense action between Flamingo and Fruta Conquerors in their 2-2 tie at the Tucville ground on Sunday evening. (Franklin Wilson photo)

The players and officials of the Pele FC at the centre of the ‘Allegation of Misconduct’ will face the disciplinary committee of the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) on Thursday evening to answer charges brought against them by the Guyana Football Referees Council (GFRC).
In a letter dispatched to the Secretary of the GFA by Vice President GFRC Lawrence Griffith, he had pointed out what he termed as ‘Atrocious Behavior’ by the coaches and players towards the referee Steve James and his assistants Dion Inniss and Simon Campbell.
The incident took place in a Cellink Premier League game between Pele and Fruta Conquerors which the latter won 0-1 on Friday May 15.

Presidential discussion between GFA

It is alleged that Head Coach Denzil Thompson was very abusive towards the referee who disallowed a goal that he thought should have been allowed. The letter also alleges that Thompson voiced his disapproval to the referee not blowing for a foul in the box. Following his continued abuse, the 4th official evicted Thompson from the Technical Area.
Assistant coach Justin Bentick was also ejected from the Technical Area after he used foul language towards the referee.
At the conclusion of the game, the letter stated that a number of players approached the refereeing area and made some disparaging and threatening statements towards the officials.
The players named are Mervin Joseph, Calvin Shepherd, Travis Grant, Okenny Fraser, Shemroy Arthur and Quincy Adams.
The GFRC has urged the GFA to deal with the matter which they consider to be very serious, in an expeditious manner. The letter ends with the GFRC stating, “The future of the GFA league and football in general countrywide depends on the outcome of this matter. The time has come when coaches and players have to accept the decisions of the referee.”
Pele President, a former national goalkeeper, Carey Jacques also spoke with Kaieteur Sport about the incident and the referees stance on Sunday night and is of the view that their stance was not in keeping with the development of the game.
However, Thursday’s hearing is expected to ventilate the issue with the aim of satisfying all concerned parties. The game must be the winner at the end of the day.
Many of the spectators who were at the venue were furious and were asking for a refund of the entrance fee. But GFA President Troy Mendonca sought to explain the situation to them. Mendonca said they GFA will be looking at some level of compromise for the next game day.
Meanwhile, in the lone game played, Flamingo squandered a 2 goal cushion, allowing home team Fruta Conquerors to storm back and draw the game. Deon Alleyne (12) and Leon Hescott (39) had given Flamingo a dream lead against one of the leading sides in the city.
But Conquerors showed depth and patience by pulling out all the stops to even things up and take an equal share of the points. Junior Witherspoon narrowed the gap in the 64th minute with Manasseh Primo nailing the equalizer one minute to full time.