Letter to the Sports Editor...GFF President has created a dangerous precedent

Letter to the Sports Editor…GFF President has created a dangerous precedent

Aug 20, 2013 Sports

Dear Editor,
References is hereby made to the above caption as it relates to publication of an article in S.N. 07.08.13 captioned “GFF sends Rutherford packing” by Duncan Saul. Editor, on an extremely sad note, once again the journalist has failed to resort to investigative journalism, wherein as reported in paragraph 2; “Rutherford who served the GFF for over two decades first as General Secretary and then as Deputy General Secretary”. For public edification Rutherford’s first association with the GFF, was in 2001 and lasted until 2007, a period of 6 years. Then from 2010-2013, an additional period of 3 years, which in totality would be 9 years. In 1999 Mr. Rutherford was a Vice President of the GFA! So, where did the falsified claim of being around the GFF for over two decades emanate from?
Further, in April, 2009 Mr. Matthias wasn’t the Hon. Secretary, GFA! So, it’s extremely absurb to claim that Matthias was written to by Rutherford, in that year. Sir, it must also be noted that in all due fairness to Rutherford, and despite the fact that I, at sometimes was not in agreement with his decisions towards the sport’s development.
In giving “Jack his jacket” he of all the General Secretaries of the GFF, was/is the most articulate and constitutionally sound! Additionally, Rutherford’s response to correspondences remained “heads and shoulders” above the rest. So, in actuality to claim that the individual had brought the game into disrepute is totally untrue. Was it Rutherford, who on 2 consecutive occasions circulated late notifications in accordance to the constitutional requirement for the convening of the Annual General Meeting? Was it the individual, who served as the Returning Officer, for the GFA’s AGM, and described the executive as the best, then pronounced that the elections of Office-Bearers was null and void? This is despite the fact that at the time not a ball was kicked by clubs, in relation to competitions!
Meanwhile, the dangerous precedent that Matthias has created is to resort to stating that the position of the Deputy General Secretary, as being unconstitutional; and so too is the President’s Personal Assistant. By the way, would the position be eventually declared redundant, since if it’s filled as I’m inclined to believe, then it’s a clear case of witch-hunting and vindictiveness! And there would be a clear-cut case of Matthias as President, of the GFF, facing a lawsuit. Also it must be taken into consideration that the letter of Rutherford’s dismissal offers not one iota of democracy and inclusiveness. Wherein there is no evidence of the matter being discussed at executive level, along with excerpts of the minutes/notes.
In the final analysis the letter was poorly constructed to the extent that the carbon-copies (C.C s) dispatched makes reference to the Presidents of Essequibo/ Pomeroon and Rupununi Football Associations. However, this is extremely inaccurate, since both associations by virtue of having an IMC in place, would be headed by a Chairman and not a President! While this is in the last part of the letter, the first is just as bad, that Mr. Rutherford is addressed in a private capacity, with no caption being mentioned and his address being listed as that of the GFF’s Secretariat. Does he live there?
If cost cutting measures was the main reason for the individual’s termination of services, then that may have been more prudent! What is the rationale of extending the General Secretary’s contract for another 2 years? Is it because he ruled in favour of West Demerara’s President’s (ag) suspension being upheld, with his replacement voting in Matthias’s favour, while nullifying the efforts of some East Demerara’s club to address their non-inclusion of the decision making process, in supporting a candidate of the majority’s choice for the Presidency of the GFF!
Lest we forget the General Secretary, was suspended by FIFA, for a period of 30 days, following the conclusion of investigations into the “bribe for votes scandal”. The more things change the more they remain the same.
Lester Sealey.

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Letter to the Sports Editor…GFF President has created a dangerous precedent

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