FIFA warns of sanctions, stands by Matthias

Jerome Valcke

FIFA has warned the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) of possible sanctions if it does not hold an Extraordinary Congress before August 10 and has refused to recognize the congress held by disgruntled associations of the fractured organisation last Saturday deeming the meeting invalid.

Several associations who formed a 2/3 majority reconvened the congress last Saturday following the rescheduling of the April 26 gathering.

They voted to remove GFF president Christopher Matthias and GFF executive committee member Keith O’Jeer. Subsequently, the breakaway faction identified GFF Vice President Ivan Persaud to lead the GFF in the interim.

Matthias has said that the May 31 congress is illegitimate as it did not conform to the regulations of the GFF constitution.

On Wednesday, FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke wrote to Matthias referring to a letter by Persaud