GFF lifts suspension of Futsal players, official

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has officially lifted the provisional suspension of players and an official, who participated in the unsanctioned Magnum Tonic Wine ‘Unfinished Business’ Futsal Tournament, which occurred on June 18th at the National Park, Thomas Lands.

This is according to correspondence from the federation, dated July 29th and signed by General Secretary Ian Alves.

“I write on behalf of the President and the Executive Committee of the Guyana Football Federation. GFF Memo dated June 19, 2022, on the subject caption, refers. Please be advised that following engagements with the Official and Players listed in the correspondence referenced above, and the relevant personnel of the Guyana Football Federation, the provisional suspensions of the Official and Players have been listed with immediate effect,” Alves wrote.

The release did not disclose when the players and officials were placed before the GFF’s Disciplinary Committee. Interestingly, the lifting of the suspension of the individuals occurred before yesterday’s commencement of the ‘Keep Ya Five Alive’ Futsal Tournament, which is coordinated by Kevin Adonis of Hits and Jams Entertainment.

The GFF had suspended several players and an official for their participation in the unsanctioned competition. This was confirmed by a release from the federation, which was dated June 19th, and signed by General Secretary Alves, to its member associations, affiliates, and elite league clubs.

The suspended players were Daniel Wilson, Pernell Schultz, Colin Nelson, Nicholas MacArthur, Jermaine Junior, Gregory Richardson, Clive Nobrega, Jermaine Beckles, Eusi Phillips, Jamal Pedro, Hubert Pedro, Randolph Wagner, and Darren Niles. The penalized official was Travis Bess

However, according to a source close to the players, and the official, no official disciplinary proceedings were conducted by the federation, adding that the players met with several members of the federation, and not the disciplinary committee. The source explained, “Several players attended a meeting with the members of the GFF. They were Jermin Junior, Daniel Wilson, Nicholas MacArthur, Colin Nelson, and Pernell Schultz. The persons that attended the meeting on the GFF side were Assistant Technical Director Bryan Joseph, Golden Jaguars head coach Jamal Shabazz, and General Secretary Alves. The players had no contact with the disciplinary committee during this entire process. The matter was essentially dealt with by the federation.”