By Donald Duff and Marlon Munroe
The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) says it is seeking legal advice in relation to a proposal from the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) to resolve their ongoing dispute.
The GFA has been denied its constitutional rights by the GFF in the lead up to the GFF’s impending annual general meeting and election of office bearers.
This has resulted in the GFF taking the GFF to Court in an effort to have its constitutional rights restored.
GFA’s Attorney-At-Law Roysdale Forde had written acting GFF president Franklyn Wilson proposing four measures which would lead to a settlement of the dispute.
Wilson assumed control of the GFF after longstanding president Colin Klass, who led the GFF since 1989, was provisionally suspended by FIFA last month pending investigations for his alleged role in the cash-for for votes scandal that rocked Caribbean football.
In the letter to Wilson Forde noted that the GFA had been meeting with Wilson in his present capacity since August.
Forde however is alleging that Wilson failed to honour his promise of meeting with Forde hence the decision to write the acting president.
Forde had urged Wilson to meet with his clients on September 6 following which his clients were prepared to move to the Courts.
Forde’s four-point proposal for the settlement of the dispute are as follows:-
(a) That the Georgetown Football Association resumes forthwith its status in the Guyana Football Federation as a full member with its entire collection of constitutional rights and privileges.
(b) That arrangements be made shortly thereafter for the holding of the elections with the full participation of all the members of the Guyana Football Federation in proposing and seconding candidates there for.
(c) That all sanctions imposed on Clubs affiliated to the Georgetown Football Association be withdrawn immediately;
(d) That all other sub-associations be allowed to regularise their status within a reasonable time to afford them the opportunity to constitutionally participate in the aforementioned elections and to contribute meaningfully in the development of football in Guyana.
In response Wilson stated that he had been meeting with members of the GFA “as a concerned person interested in the promotion and development of football.”
He also stated that he will be forwarding Forde’s proposals to his attorney for advice.
President of the GFA, Vernon Burnett, told Stabroek Sport yesterday that the GFA wants to establish what proposals are necessary in order to move the sport forward.
But, Burnett said the GFF is requesting that the GFA withdraw the Court case before going ahead with negotiations for the reinstatement of the GFA’s constitutional rights.
Burnet told this newspaper that the GFF’s request, show “no sort of compromise” and “certainly the two organisations’ views differ.”
The GFF and the GFA have been locked in a bitter dispute for some time that resulted in the postponement of the GFF elections and Congress that were scheduled for May 27.
The GFA had secured an injunction stopping the GFF from the holding its elections.
Prior to the judge granting the injunction there were two postponement of the elections due to the GFF accepting that it had breached Article 25 (2), (3) of the Constitution. Also the GFA had contended that they wanted to be a part of the election process with other associations since they had proclaimed on numerous occasions that they were the most active.
