GFF’s COI to conclude work in September

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the sexual harassment of female referees by match officials and administrators is set to conclude in September.

This is according to a source close to the investigation.

According to the source, “The date for the conclusion of the COI will be in the month of September. Probably in the third week of September when it will conclude and the findings will be submitted [to the GFF].

“The COI currently has a long list of referees and they are contacting them individually to see if they are willing to give testimony.”

The method of contacting individuals directly should improve the number of testimonies by officials, said the source adding that the aim is for the panel to communicate with everyone on the list.

It was earlier revealed that 12 individuals have given testimony thus far to the panel.

Asked if the panel presently has enough information to make a pronouncement on the issue, the source disclosed, “Yes because of the persons that have already been interviewed. Most persons that have given testimony have alluded to something to occurring.

It looks bad.” The commission was initiated during the month of April, after several high ranking GFF officials were accused of misconduct and unfitting behavior.

On February 2nd 2018, 17 male and female referees signed a threepage letter, calling for the removal of GFF Head of Referee Department Stanley Lancaster, citing unprofessionalism and incompetence amongst other issues.

The all-female commission, which is headed by Chairman Dr. Karen Pilgrim, also comprises Dr. Melissa Ifill of the University of Guyana, Karen Joseph, Human Resources Consultant, Karen De Souza, Red Thread and Joy Nichola Marcus-Red, also of Red Thread.