Top XX clears the air
By Steve Ninvalle
Stabroek News
January 3, 2005
Bakewell Topp XX are crying foul after being pitched from the Kashif and Shanghai tournament, and captain and coach, Collie `Hitman' Hercules, is adamant that players from the club only left the field during the semi-finals because of fear for their safety.
In an exclusive interview with Stabroek Sport, Hercules claimed that Topp XX midfielder Abassy McPherson was slapped by a fourth official during last Wednesday's semi-final against Fruta Conquerors at the Camptown ground, and team members became fearful for their safety which resulted in a decision to leave the field.
Fruta Conquerors were declared winners of the semi-final, which was deadlocked 0-0 at regulation and extra time. The game went into kicks from the penalty mark and Conquerors were leading 2-1 (with two kicks remaining to Conquerors and one to Topp XX) when Topp XX walked off.
"All we want to do is to clear the air on why we left the field. A lot on nonsense went on and we are now the victims. Our main reason for coming off the field was that the fourth official assaulted one of our players. We felt that it was a bad situation to be in, with the crowd encroaching at the same time. There was no security and no one to protect the players. For our safety we left the field," Hercules said.
After perusing the referee's report, the Guyana Football Federation wrote the organisers of the tournament stating that Topp XX were found guilty of gross misconduct and unsportsmanlike behaviour and cannot be allowed to take any further part in the tournament.
The conduct of some players from the club who, the GFF stated, had mobbed referee John Callender and protested his decision, will be the subject of a Disciplinary Committee hearing on Thursday.
That same day, Topp XX wrote the organisers stating that the club had made a decision not to further participate in the tournament.
Topp XX were scheduled to battle Eagles United in the third place playoff on New Year's Day. Asked to comment on the issue Kashif and Shanghai director, Kashif Muhammad, said that the matter is now in the hands of the "competent authority."
"This issue has now gone to the GFF. They will decide who is right and who is wrong, not the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation," Muhammad said.
However, Hercules said that some of the blame must be laid at the doorsteps of the organisers, and went further to state that Kashif and Shanghai may have breached a contract with clubs to provide a safe environment for games to be played.
"We feel that we were champions of that night. We played well and deserved a better chance to continue the game and finish. Obviously, the circumstances did not permit. We are not asking for much. All we want is to be respected as players and as human beings. If we can't be in a safe environment, like the Kashif and Shanghai contract states, if those things cannot be put in place, then we will not be participating anymore," the national striker said. "All we are asking is to be treated fairly.
"We are aware that leaving the field is gross misconduct but at the same time, the situation at that game, with the crowd on the field, the fourth official slapping our player and the fact that Topp XX was playing a Georgetown team in Georgetown with a large section of the crowd being Conquerors' supporters, we felt it fit to get off the field of play to secure our safety. It is not about shying away from losing. Topp XX has stood up to any challenge," said Hercules.
He said that his club, a four-time champion of the competition, will continue to hold its head high. "This club has a lot of history and future," Hercules said.
Hercules said that the club had written the GFF outlining what happened, but he was not cognizant if the governing body had received the letter prior to making the decision to boot the club.
"I blame the GFF, the referees and the organisers. The GFF should not give promoters the OK to hold games where people's lives are under threat. I blame the organisers for not providing a safe place, and I blame the referees since a referee should not be abusive to any player. I have never seen an official hitting a player."