Event in possible disrepute as GFF hesitates to sanction Tigers for ineligible player
The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has possibly brought the KFC Elite League into disrepute as they have dithered in their decision to sanction the Western Tigers for fielding an ineligible player during their Anns Grove fixture on March 2nd.
The Western Tigers fielded an ineligible player in the form of Rondell Peters, who was officially absent from their matchday squad of 18 players. Peters entered the match in the 71st minute, according to the official Elite League post-match summary, and played for several minutes before the officials, upon realising the error, removed him from the field.
At the time of his participation in the match, the Western Tigers were comfortably in control at 4-0. The score-line remained unchanged until the conclusion of the fixture. Anns Grove, upon recognising the startling decision of the officials to remove Peters, filed an initial query and then a verbal protest to the GFF at the conclusion of the match.
Efforts to contact GFF General Secretary Ian Alves for a comment proved futile. Several calls to his cell phone went unanswered.
Anns Grove has also refused to comment on the details of the issue but confirmed that an official protest was filed. They also confirmed that a subsequent appeal to the initial decision of the GFF to not sanction Western Tigers has also been lodged.
However, according to a correspondence seen by this publication, which was written by club secretary Dellon Adams on March 3rd and sent to then GFF Competitions Director Troy Peters,
“The Ann’s Grove United Football Club (AGUFC) refers to the caption and wishes to register that it was brought to our attention that Western Tigers Football Club, during the game on Saturday, March 2, between them and AGUFC, fielded an unregistered player, which according to Rule 2.21 is an illegal player. The name of the player provided is Rondell Peters. He wore number 8 jersey. In light of the aforementioned, we request an investigation into this issue and that appropriate disciplinary action be taken, lest this put the League into disrepute.”
According to Section 2.22 of the league’s rules, which is titled Illegal Player, it states, “An illegal player is a player not properly registered with the Elite League and/or the GFF and does not appear on the team roster. Any club using an illegal player shall forfeit 3-0 all games in which the illegal player(s) plays and lose 3 points per illegal player per game.”
Section 2.23 of the said rules also stated, “A maximum of 18 players may dress for a game (this is the game day roster).”
The GFF on March 5th, via General Secretary Alves, confirmed receipt of the official protest from the East Coast Demerara Club, stating in a correspondence, “I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to acknowledge receipt of your email and to inform you that the matter mentioned will be investigated by the GFF Competition Department.”
GFF via General Secretary Alves during subsequent communication on March 23rd to Anns Grove President Raul Jerrick stated, “Good day, President Jerrick. Sorry for not sending the written response yet. The player is registered with the Western Tigers FC in their EL [Elite League] 25. However, he was indeed not on the game-day roster and should not have taken the pitch.
Nonetheless, the investigation showed that the match officials erred in allowing him on the pitch, even though he was removed as soon as they realised the error. Fortunately, it was also the general view that his short period on the pitch did not affect the outcome of the match. Since the club was only partly responsible for the contravention of the rule, the club is to be issued a stern warning letter with dire consequences for a repeat offence. We trust that, in the spirit of the game, AGUFC, like the GFF Secretariat, sees this as appropriate disciplinary action under the peculiar circumstances.”
Meanwhile, on Monday, March 25th, the club filed its official appeal of the aforesaid decision, stating in a communication via President Jerrick to General Secretary Alves, “I write to formally request a review of the decision consequent to the protest raised by Ann’s Grove FC. The club official must have known that the player was not on the game-day roster, but blindsided the game officials and fielded the player. The fact that he was fielded and played regardless of the duration was a clear contravention of the rules.
This is further tantamount to dishonesty.”
Subsequently, General Secretary Alves, on Tuesday, March 26th, in a response to President Jerrick, stated, “Good day, President Jerrick. The [Anns Grove United Football Club] AUFC complaint has been dealt with, and a response to the club will be sent shortly on the Council’s advice.”
It is unclear if the final response was issued to the club.