Grenada complains to FIFA on treatment in Guyana By Isaiah Chappelle
Guyana Chronicle
March 17, 2004

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THE Grenada Football Association (GFA) has sent a formal complaint to the Match Commissioner of the CONCACAF World Cup Preliminary Second Leg Tie between Guyana and Grenada in Guyana on Sunday.

GFA president Dr Elliott McGuire personally handed over the strongly worded report, copied to the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) and CONCACAF, to Match Commissioner Norris Ferguson, the FIFA representative, Sunday night.

“The usual courtesies extended for hosting World Cup matches were not afforded to the Grenada team,” the GFA contended.

The report mentioned “incomprehensively sub-standard” accommodation, late meals, no transport for training, no communication on timing for the technical and pre-match meetings, and generally no contact with members of the Guyana Football Federation.

“Meals transported from another location in boxes have been consistently late. This along with the non-arrival of transport for training has affected the team’s schedule and preparation for the game.

We have had to make our own arrangement for transportation, and at times for meals.”

The GFA said it made “numerous attempts” to contact GFF officials since March 1, immediately after the first leg, to get information on logistics for the return leg.

“Three e-mail messages were sent by the Manager/First Vice-President Cheney Joseph, in addition to official correspondences from the Grenada Football Association secretariat requesting specific information for the contingent’s visit.

“In addition, several phone calls by the secretariat and Joseph again requesting information on our trip to Guyana proved futile.

“The secretary in the GFF office promised that calls from the general secretary would be forthcoming.”

Grenada said that it was only on the eve of the team’s departure for Guyana that GFF general secretary George Rutherford provided some answers to Joseph who had called, and an apology was offered for the non-communication prior to the call.

“Up until writing this report we have not seen any member of the GFF. At this point, it’s important to note that officials of the GFA were present to meet the Guyana delegation on their arrival in Grenada.”

The GFA, also, quoted Chronicle Sport’s story on Guyana’s Technical Director Neider Dos Santos description of his team’s treatment in Grenada for the first leg.

“Dos Santos said the first demoralising act was the immigration authorities seizing his passport at the Point Salines International Airport because he required a visa to enter the country.

“On the morning of the match, the manager had to go and buy bread and cheese to supplement that provided by the hotel.

“The only meal that was decently provided for us was the last meal, after the match. It was a big buffet and the players could eat whatever they wanted.”

“Those things must be considered in reciprocal treatment. Of course, I’m not surprised at what happened. World Cup football is a war and we have to start to face it as a war, too.”

GFA McGuire contended “any individual promoting such sentiments will never have a place under my leadership in sports, and football in particular. The technical director and apparently certain members of the executive of GFF have disrespected themselves and their nation.”

Grenada’s football body declared: “No one should be allowed to foster enmity between brother federations of FIFA, and in particular, CFU.”