Basseterre, St Kitts, March 22, 2013 -- The Football Association has finally agreed to arbitration in the matter brought by three member clubs, namely: Spurs FC, Conaree FC and St Pauls FC. In June 2012, St Pauls protested the decision by the management committee of the FA to direct that the playoff for the Premier Division Championship be between Delphic Newtown FC and Conaree FC.
The decision was a direct violation of Article 2 of the 2011-12 Rules & Regulations issued by the FA on 14th October 2011, and signed by President Anthony Johnson and General Secretary Stanley Jacobs that reads thus:
“The Final Four Playoffs will be a one (1) round of round robin matches. The two top teams will be decided from the following points earned:
(1) Points earned from match-up during regular season games, and
(2) Points earned from match-ups during Final Four (4) Playoffs
The two (2) teams leading at the end of the Final Four (4) Playoffs will the play in the best of three (3) finals to determine the Premier League Champions.”
Based on the above Article, Conaree FC and St Pauls FC should have played to determine the national champions. Instead, the management committee of the FA decided that the finals be played between Delphic Newtown FC and Conaree FC.
This Impasse exposed in full public view the lack of competence, sincerity and credibility of the FA. The FA initially denied the protest, but on further protestation by the clubs, withdrew its objection. Over several months the clubs pressed orally and by letters and Press Releases. The FA resisted meaningful progress, until finally accepting (by letter dated 13th January 2013) an offer of arbitration from the clubs made in December 2012. Article 62 of the Constitution of the FA provided the basis for arbitration.
On 7th March 2013, representatives of the FA and the clubs met and agreed to have Mr Alphonso Bridgewater, President of the NOC, serve as chairman of the arbitration panel. Mr Bridgewater has since declined to accept the chairmanship, citing pressing business and NOC commitments, and has accordingly advised both the FA and the clubs. The President of the FA has however assured that arbitration will be held by end of March 2013.
In the course of securing arbitration, the clubs got the FA to settle long overdue amounts due to them, and prizes monies due from the 2011-12 football season (and subject to adjustments pending the verdict from arbitration). But more importantly, the actions of the clubs re-confirmed the unquestionable merit of unity of action among members clubs, and the undeniable pre-eminence of the Constitution and the power of the Rules and Regulations.
The three clubs express sincere thanks to Hon Glen Phillip for his support for an amicable resolution, the Executive Committee of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) for their concern for good governance in football in St Kitts, Sir Probyn Inniss for considering our request to serve on the arbitration panel, Mr Alphonso Bridgewater and Mr Glen Jeffers, both of the St Kitts National Olympic Committee(NOC), for allowing the use of the NOC Headquarters for meetings between the parties, our legal representatives Dr Ken Ballantyne and Dr Dennis Merchant for legal counsel, the Referees Association, other member clubs, all football officials and players and supporters of members clubs for their patience during the impasse.
We thank specially the numerous players and members of the public who called, offered advice, and championed our cause.
*************************
DISCLAIMER
This article was posted in its entirety as received by SKNVibes.com. This media house does not correct any spelling or grammatical error within press releases and commentaries. The views expressed therein are not necessarily those of SKNVibes.com, its sponsors or advertisers
