The Guyana Defence Force yesterday issued a statement condemning the suspension of its football team by the Georgetown Football As-sociation.
“The Guyana Defence Force wishes to condemn in the strongest possible terms the suspension levied by the Georgetown Football Association against the GDF football team following an off field incident in the Banks Premium Beer Cup at Tucville Playfield Wednesday,” the release stated. “The suspension is unwarranted, unjustified and appear to be motivated by ulterior motives that are occasioned by questionable relationships that exist between association officials and individual teams, which provide for conflict of interests, “the release added.
General secretary of the GFA Marlan Cole had told Stabroek sport that at a specially convened meeting of the GFA on Wednesday, it was decided to suspend the GDF football team after an off field incident had brought a premature end to Tuesday night’s matches in the Banks Premium Beer Cup tournament.
According to reports, a rank of the GDF, Roland D’Aguiar, who is currently banned by the GFA following an incident with a referee last year was spotted in the venue by an official. He was requested to leave the venue but allegedly refused to comply with the instruction at which point the officiating referee reportedly walked off the field and out of the ground.
The GDF release pointed out that at the time of the incident the Army team was not at the venue.
“It is apposite to note that at the time that the referee stopped the match to request that D’Aguiar leave the venue the GDF team had not yet arrived. They subsequently arrived during the stoppage and while the team was seated in the stands an official even sought the assistance of the Coach to have D’Aguiar leave the venue,” the release pointed out.
The release stated that the GDF was never in receipt of any correspondence from the GFA to support its contention that D’Aguiar was banned from football matches indefinitely.
According to the release, the GFA had promised to send a copy of any correspondence to verify the ban but to date had not received any such correspondence from the GFA.
The GDF argued in the release that the GFA was in contravention of FIFA (the world governing body for football) rules which stipulates that the individual must be summoned to a disciplinary hearing which would decide on the type and duration of the ban and that that information is required to be published in the media.
“None of this was done so the GDF was oblivious to the ban on D’Aguiar,” the release stated.
The GDF release also blamed the GFA for lack of proper security at the venue which could have prevented D’Aguiar from entering the venue.
“The GFA was also derelict in the execution of its duties by failing to provide security at the venue. Had it provided security then surely A’Aguiar, even though he had purchased a ticket, would not have been allowed entry into the ground and this whole sorry episode would not have occurred,” the release pointed out.
“The GDF therefore demands that the team be allowed continued participation in the present tournament, the GFA observes FIFA rules in imposing bans on spectators, and that the GFA provide appropriate security to deal with banned spectators and other related issues.
