14 footballers defect in US

Eight of those seeking a better life

FOURTEEN Guyanese footballers have failed to return from the United States of America where they had gone to play Mexico in an Olympic round-robin playoff in Los Angeles.

As a result, Guyana is almost certain to be fined $5000 (US) for failing to play their second round-robin play-off game against Mexico in Mexico City. They are also likely to face some form of international ban when Concacaf reviews their scheduled non-appearance last Wednesday for their return game in Mexico. However, local football officials feel certain that they will be able to avert the ban.

Guyana’s predicament begun last week Monday in Miami when four footballers absconded from the tour party on the way to Los Angeles.

According to national coach Lennox Arthur, Colin Pollard, Elson Hinckson, Shawn Williams and Ingram Halley disappeared 45 minutes before the team was due to board the flight for Los Angles.

He also disclosed that when a check was made for the players on Tuesday morning in Los Angeles Anthony Bowen and Junior George were “gone,” apparently “jumping through the window.”

Arthur said that inspite of “talking to the remaining players” on Wednesday morning, Rupert Gordon, David Kistoo and Broderick Murray were all missing shortly after.

That meant that Guyana played their game against Mexico with no reserves using the only eleven players left. Several of those who had fled were first team players.

Arthur said that on Thursday morning after the game which Guyana lost 9 nil, Gerald Austin, Trevor Maxwell, Neil O’Choa, Adrian Forde and Nigel Cummings were also discovered to be missing.

He declared that nothing could be done to stop the players from defecting.

He disclosed that many of the players queried the type of visas which they were issued and did not seem happy when they learnt that they were the single entry type.

Arthur further disclosed that the last five players who disappeared seemed uneasy before absconding.

Arthur claims that there seems to be a group Guyanese in the USA who are encouraging the players to “get away.” These players later become involved in “runnings,” forms of shady street business for quick money.

Earlier this week six players and an equal number of officials returned home after being so ordered by Prime Minister Hamilton Green.

The Prime Minister told Stabroek News that the defections were embarrassing and he was disappointed by the attitude displayed by the footballers. Mr. Green disclosed that a great deal of foreign exchange was sacrificed to permit the national team to participate in the Olympic eliminations.

Conservative estimates by Stabroek News put the amount at approximately $28000 (US). Significantly, Guyana did not have to pay airfares and accommodation for the earlier games against Guatemala in October or the Mexico games.

Failing to go to Mexico for the return game has brought about other financial implications.

With Concacaf as mediator, Mexico had agreed to pay Guyana $25000 (US) to give up its home advantage and play both matches away. The match in Los Angeles has sealed $20000 (US) of the deal which means that $5 000 (US) of the commitment is still to be fulfilled

Reports reaching Georgetown state Mexico has already pre-sold 75 000 tickets for the return match which is undoubtedly a matter which will be viewed seriously by Concacaf.

At the time of writing, the one-man Stanley Moore Commission was rounding off investigations into the disappearance of the 14 players.

The Guyana Football Association (GFA) will be meeting on Sunday to deal with the issue and the defectors are likely to face life bans similar to those imposed on the three who defected earlier this year in Miami namely Dion Roberts, Anthony Williams (the captain) and the late Oscar “Legs” Rodney.

The disappearance of the fourteen players is an unprecedented percentage in relation to sporting teams visiting the USA from any part of the world.