Letter to the Sports Editor…Does the GFA Have a Functioning Disciplinary Committee?

Feb 01, 2012 Sports

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Dear Editor,
While nothing is absolutely wrong with the General Council of the Georgetown Football Association requesting that Disciplinary action be taken against a Club, Player or Official for infringement(s) of the rules, regulations and or by – laws of the game, it must however be done in an atmosphere that clearly outlines impartiality and within the context of the constitutional framework.
As such I was a bit surprised to have read in your publication (22.01.12) an article captioned “Pele, GDF penalized for transgressions”. Editor, it must be taken into serious consideration that the General Council of the GFA, despite being the “Highest Decision Making Forum, is not a law unto its self” and cannot after submitting a written request for Disciplinary Action to be taken against an offending party, become the “judge, jury and executioner”.
I, hereby refer to the action(s) of the General Council’s deliberation(s), since under Article 7: of the GFA’s Constitution (outdated) Standing Committees. 1(a) “The Disciplinary Committee shall comprise of five (5) members, all of whom shall be elected and one (1) for the purpose of guidance on the Laws of the game of Football, shall be a member of the Referees’ Association (now Council).  The five (5) so elected shall nominate their own Chairman. In the absence of the Chairman, some other member of the Committee shall be nominated to fill his place”.
(b) “Shall deal with all cases of misconduct connected with the playing of Football under the control of the League (now Association) and any other disciplinary matters referred to it by the Council or the Executive Committee”.
Was this intricate constitutional requirement ever fulfilled? If, not, then a dangerous precedent is being created!
Further, in relation to Article 22: Hearing of Mis-Conduct. (g) “The Honorary Secretary or in his absence, the Honorary Assistant Secretary/ Treasurer shall present the League’s case at all hearings of misconduct. He shall not participate in the deliberation, but shall be available to give information that may be required by the Disciplinary Committee”.
Sir, while the two constitutional articulations dealt primarily within the confines of the subject matter, at this crucial juncture, may, I enquire if the General Council (clubs) is all in possession of a copy of the GFA’s Constitution, more so, one of its own? If, not once again “a dangerous precedent is being created!
Since the application of Article 20: Duties and Obligations of Clubs, Officials, Players and Spectators, ought to take precedence pursuant to: (l) Any Club, which is registered with the League and withdraws from any competition sponsored by the League before the completion of the said competition, should be liable to financial and/or other penalties as is deemed to be fit by the Disciplinary Authority of the League”. Was this Constitutional articulation conveyed to both clubs, in their written notification of Mis-Conduct?
Meanwhile it would be interesting to know if the following were applicable for the legitimacy of the Meeting.
I. Article 8 (c): Special General Meetings. “Shall be called by the Executive Committee or on request of six (6) First Division Clubs or two (2) Divisional Council (non-existant). The reasons(s) to be given in writing to the Honorary Secretary, shall be clearly set out and only the business for which the meeting has been called shall be discussed. Such meetings to be called within twenty-one (21) days of the Honorary Secretary receiving the requisition. At such meetings, eighteen (18) shall form a quorum”.
Quorum – (c) “All meetings of the Council Executive Committee, Divisional Councils and Clubs shall be conducted in accordance with accepted Parliamentary procedure”.
II. Duties of Officers (a): The President of the League shall preside at the Annual General, Half Yearly and all Special, General Council, Executive and Emergency Committee Meetings”. Within this context, who was the Chairman of the Meeting? Which should have been the First Vice President, since the GFA President also presides over the affairs of the GDF-FC; or in his absence another Vice President.
Finally, with constitutional reform remaining an utmost priority towards administrative modernization, it nevertheless is imperative that the fundamental rules, regulations and bylaws are always adhered to, in the dispensation of justice and Fair – Play as I had indicated to one of the GFA’s Executive recently following his disagreement with the publication of a letter. “Recourse can always be sought via the newsprint, moreover, if my facts are distorted, or a deviation from the truth, but the integrity of the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) must always be preserved, to the extent that the GFA doesn’t provide the GFF with ammunition to shoot it down”.
While I have no desire to return to the administrative fray of football, under the current circumstances of cronyism, nepotism and dishonesty, my opinions and advice can still be sought, providing it will contribute to the further development of the sport.
It is with great pity when the GFF Executive had decided to disband the previous GFA executive under the stewardship of Mr. Troy Mendonca, constitutional reform wasn’t achieved despite my undertaking, with an Attorney of Law, for his review, guidance, expertise and subsequent amendments for implementation.
Respectfully Yours,
Lester Sealey

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