More watchdogs needed for local football’s real metamorphosis

Feb 26, 2018 Letters

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Dear Editor,
With the operations of the Guyana Football Referees Council (GFRC) undergoing much wanted scrutiny due to alleged sexual misconduct and harassment claims, the visit by FIFA’s Regional Director Marlon Glean could not be timelier.
It will give the high ranking FIFA Officer an opportunity to not only get a glimpse of the positives within the football arena, but also the negatives which ought to instigate a comprehensive investigation, instead of an internal one only.
The broader scope of the inquisition is to guarantee that the findings are not concealed and the actors punished.
Investigations into the institution’s operations are long overdue, mainly because of the many alleged claims of sexual misconduct, harassment and mismanagement, traits that have been ignored for years.
Following the disclosure of the allegations, a source close to the fraternity revealed that an investigation was conducted by high-ranking members of the Council and the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), and while one referee was struck off the list in light of the shocking revelations, it was further alleged that members of the Council were “advised” to remain mum on the findings.
Now this stance is being viewed clearly as an act of injustice against the victims, all of whom are reported to be young girls, whose only aspirations was to be part of the sport.
The GFF, with major responsibility for the good governance of the sport, has apparently failed these young girls by merely offering a ‘slap on the wrist’ to the alleged perpetrators of those acts and must in company with the Council be held accountable for their apathetic attitude towards those girls.
Many of them are no longer interested in being part of the sport, and this is manifestly in contravention of the call for more persons to be drawn to the officiating aspect of the sport.
It is the wrong message to send to aspiring youths, since they may feel that in the event of some form of injustice being committed against them, the chances of a fair hearing is either imaginary or extremely slim.
This is a sad day for the sport, and the GFF and the GFRC should not feel proud about their failings to protect those young girls who must be feeling a sense of abandonment by the powers that be.
An investigation must be extended outside the corridors of the Federation, since the alleged perpetrators are still involved in the sport – some at the highest levels – in the absence of justice.
For there to be an investigation and the two Bodies that spearheaded that inquiry not see it fit to punish those found guilty, should leave no doubt about extending it beyond GFF’s Headquarters.
Glean’s presence, though originally intended to have a firsthand look at the local operations, should now prompt a meeting with other stakeholders to hear their concerns as well.
He has enough time to do so, and he should do the professional thing and urge the GFF to summon such a forum, especially when FIFA has warned all member associations about its intolerance to corruption, bad governance and lack of adherence to new and rigid statutes
Those genuinely concerned about a positive way forward should raise their voices and let justice be served.
The fact that seventeen referees signed a letter on February 2nd 2018 calling for the removal of a colleague, citing unprofessionalism and incompetence among other concerns, is no coincidence, and should have served as a wakeup call for the GFF.
This is an overwhelming majority and ought to have raised ‘Red Flags’ about the Council’s operations.
As I’ve repeatedly stated, the football fraternity is a small one, and while some may feel protected not highlighting the imperfections that affect the sport, there are those who simply are not willing to do so.
The Council seems to be in chaos, with rules set to accommodate certain individuals, while others are ordered to confirm or face the penalty for not doing so.
It is clear for all to see the injustice meted out to referees such as John Callender and Wayne Griffith, who are being punished indefinitely for officiating in a tournament that does not fall under the jurisdiction of the GFF.
Callender sometime back was asked to resign as a Committee member in order to continue his refereeing career, which according to Council hierarchy contravened its rules, while Lawrence Griffith was slapped with a three months suspension for a similar infraction.
Conversely, referees with far more serious issues and damning allegations against them are being allowed to officiate in tournaments, an obvious signal that the playing field is not level, but more accommodating to some than others.
This act of partiality and discernible vindictiveness will only serve to inflict more harm on the sport, and the blame ultimately has to be shouldered by the GFF and GFRC.
The cultural effect it is having on the sport cannot be overstated, especially within Georgetown and its environs, where the participants are predominantly from a particular grouping.
Local football has been plagued by autocratic rule and corruption from time immemorial and this has ultimately affected the sport’s development.
We have a situation right now where young players are no longer interested in playing for their country, many of them saying that there seems to be no plan in place to reward their efforts, therefore it is a waste of time to make the sacrifices associated with attaining the required level.
Footballers time and again have been sacrificed on the altar of self-interest by administrators who seemed more absorbed about the benefits they can derive while in office.
The nonexistence of a players’ representative body has also had a negative impact on players’ holistic development and proper representation, while the continued absence of proper club structures – despite the strong appeal and support made by FIFA – is another enduring concern.
The forecast for a brighter future for the sport seems dim, and this scenario has to be a major headache for the sport’s custodians.
Only when there are more watchdogs prepared to hold the GFF accountable will a real metamorphosis in the sport be seen.
Yours sincerely,
Rawle Welch

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