Why no confidence when no two thirds?
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Asks Donad Duff
Stabroek News
August 16, 2002
Strange happenings continue to surround Guyana's football, the latest being the vote of no-confidence passed by the general council of the Georgetown Football League (GFL) which sent the Chris Matthias `Millennium Executive' packing after allegations of financial impropriety was levelled against treasurer Duane Campbell.
And while the passing of the vote of no-confidence motion is unique given the fact that other executives have done more harm to football in Guyana yet have been allowed to remain in office, what is disturbing is the fact that according to the GFL's constitution a two thirds majority was needed for the no-confidence motion to be passed. This was not achieved!
There were 18 voters which means that 12 of the voters needed to support the no-confidence motion.
However, this never materialised. According to reports only five supported the motion, four did not and nine abstained. Yet Matthias and secretary Raol Johnson have been allowed to take their leave of the body presumabaly, so that an independent audit can be conducted. Strange indeed!
Why did the general council not see it fit to pressure messers Matthias, Johnson and the rest of the executive to give more details into the allegations?
What is the extent of the level of rot in the GFL given the fact that Campbell alone could not sign cheques? Who were the other signatories? How was the organisation defrauded by cash or by cheque?
There are lots of unanswered questions. One might be tempted to feel that there is a plot to cover up unsavoury aspects of the situation.
Matthias and Johnson on television news broadcast last evening said they were quite "happy" with the decision. Of course they are!
Instead of fighting the decision on the grounds of it being illegal (which according to the constitution it is) and that they have the good interest of football at heart, they are happy to walk. Sports in Guyana can do without such individuals whose commitment to the cause of sports upliftment is worn on their sleeves.
One would hope that this is not the end of the brouhaha and that Matthias, Johnson and Campbell would not be allowed to fade quietly into oblivion.
It is up to the new committee to state how they intend to go about getting to the bottom of the matter for surely, there might be more dirt lying there. For that matter the status of Matthias and company is still unclear. Despite the fact that they were happy to walk, the fact that the constitutional requirements of the GFL were not met as it relates to the no confidenc motion, suggest they are still the official representatives of the GFL.
The committee therefore should seriously re-consider their position or consult a lawyer on the issue.