Former GFF Competitions Coordinator cries foul after dismissal

Sep 18, 2015 Sports

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Dear Sir,
After giving yeoman service to the Guyana Football Federation for close to 16 years I was unceremoniously dismissed over an alleged infraction with no mention of any benefits for years of unbroken, dedicated and loyal service to football and the nation.
I received the dismissal letter Friday 14th August, signed by GFF General Secretary, Richard Groden, who informed me that he was instructed by the Chairman of the Normalization Committee, Clinton Urling, to dismiss me with immediate effect for gross misconduct.
I was accused of attempting to fraudulently obtain payment from the Ministry of Indigenous People’ Affairs for sporting activities relating to Amerindian Heritage Month 2015. The letter accused me of “gross display of dishonesty expressed as detailed” and informs that “you are hereby served notice of dismissal from your position at the GFF with Immediate effect.”
Sir, I believe this allegation to be false, malevolent, insolent, libelous and defames my character. I am also contending that proper procedures were not followed since there was no proper investigation into the matter nor was I given a fair hearing in keeping with natural justice, fair play and in conjunction with the labour laws of Guyana and FIFA’s statutes.
Sir, the Laws of pertaining to misconduct is clear and dictates that should a player commit an infringement he/she receives a verbal warning, is cautioned and/or ejected by issuing either a yellow or red card, respectively. Please also note that there has been instances where red cards have been withdrawn after an appealed and investigation which establishes that the referee’s decision was incorrect.
Likewise, in any fair justice system a person is at least given a hearing before judgment is passed. Sadly, I was not afforded that privilege and I contend that such action borders on despotism and autocracy in the leadership of the GFF.
Let me state what transpired on this occasion, on Thursday 6th August, Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs official, Besham Ramsaywack, delivered a letter to Chairman of the Normalization Committee, Clinton Urling. The official further suggested to me that I prepare the budget for my programmes over the past three years and submit a copy to the Ministry to facilitate payments.
I took the letter to the Assistant General Secretary, Diedre Davis, along with a copy of a document that I had prepared in 2014 that was submitted to the former administrators in the subject Ministry.
She informed me that she will deliver the document to the members of the Normalization Committee for their guidance.
On Monday August 10 I engaged Ms Davis in a discussion in the presence of Head of the Referees’ Department, Stanley Lancaster on the role and functions of the GFF in the Heritage Month Football Tournament.
In response, Ms Davis read out the response of the Ministry to the GFF and the latter entity’s response. My primary role was to design the fixtures whilst Mr. Lancaster’s function was to coordinate the referees’ functions.
The GFF also informed the Ministry that the two goals and nets will be rented for $15,000.00 while a donation of six balls has been approved. No mention was made of preparation of the playing area because no such request was made to the GFF. Ms Davis further instructed that I take the GFF’s response to Ministry on that very day (Monday 10). This was not possible because of the court marshal’s delivery of the document on that very day. However, I ensured that the document was delivered one day later.
On that day also, I had a meeting with the Ministry’s representatives on the fixtures and other matters, Besham Ramsaywack and Ivan Persaud and the former individual informed me that twelve female teams and eleven male teams are expected to participate and confirmation would be had by Monday August 17.
He further requested a budget for the games and instructed that the document be addressed to the Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples Affairs, Ms. Valerie Gerrido Lowe.
Admittedly, I was unable to complete the document in a timely manner and this was due to the unavailability of my computer which was among the items seized when officials from the Supreme Court swooped down on the GFF offices in compliance with a court order. I subsequently completed the document as was requested by the Ministry.
Since the Amerindian Heritage Month Sporting Activities started to have use of the Everest Ground in 2013, I have been assigned by the Ministry to coordinate and prepare the ground for the football matches.
On the said Thursday, I completed the budget with the help of Mr. Lancaster who told me the cost per match for the Referees, twenty on (21) games have been slated based on the amount of teams that is anticipated to participate in the games.
Also included in the budget was the rental of goals and net, payment for the marking of the ground, acquisition of field marking paint, white wash and transportation of same, scotch tape, transportation of goal posts, paying workers to assemble and dismantle goals and Coordinator Stipend.
I advised the Ministry to make the requisite payment of the referees’ fees to the GFF as was suggested by Mr. Lancaster as well as the goal and net rental, whilst the remainder of the money should be paid to me which would have been used to fulfill the aforementioned requirements.
This method was used in 2013 and 2014 and was successful hence the reason for me submitting same as was requested this year. In 2013 the Ministry requested that I submit my TIN # so that it can be stored in the computer for future references. At no time was I informed by the GFF not to submit same to the Ministry despite the fact that I had informed the GFF that was how it was done in the past.
I took the budget to the Ministry at approximately 14:00hrs and handed same to Mr. Besham Ramsaywack who said he will take it to the Minister and they would be getting back to me as soon as possible.
Between 15:00 hrs and 16:00 hrs (not too sure of the time, because it was not important at that time) I received a call from the GFF Office that the General Secretary wanted to see me at about 17:30 hrs but was subsequently told to report to work on Friday 14th Aug 2015.
As per agreement I visited the office of the General Secretary and was told of my infraction and given the letter after I was asked to explain the reason for me sending same of which I did.
I was asked to repeat what I told him in the presence of Ms Davis whom he eventually summoned and I was asked to sign a copy. I was further told that the letter was prepared on Mr. Urling’s instruction and I should have an audience with him if I am not satisfied.
On Friday 14th Aug, at approximately 13:10 hrs I visited the office of the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs and spoke with Mr. Besham Ramsaywack of what had transpired and he advised that I meet the Minister.
On that very day, at around 14:30 hrs I had another meeting with Mr. Ramsaywack and Minister, Garrido Lowe and the issue was discussed.
Mr. Ramsaywack admitted that he was the person who requested that I submit a budget based on the previous years.
The Minister informed us that Government’s approach to these matters would be different and she is seeking donation to offset expenses.
She said that she was appalled when she saw the amount so she immediately called the GFF.
She however said that she will talk to Mr. Clinton Urling on the matter and try to negotiate my re employment because the budget was not submitted on my own accord.
Conclusion: I never intended and would never ever try to defraud or commit a dishonest act by trying to obtain payment from the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples Affairs for myself and the GFF. My sole intention was just to expedite the process so that the relevant payments could be available because payments from the Ministry sometimes take an eternity. I was however ignorant of the new arrangement and I maintain that enough information was not forthcoming with regards to the preparation of the ground by the GFF.
It is my view that if it is the opinion of the GFF authorities that I committed an offence I should have been given a chance to defend myself, but on this occasion the reverse was done. Readers you are to decide, where I went wrong.
Lawrence Griffith

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