The Gambia Football Federation has learnt with shock and dismay, the announcement of the Chairman of the National Sports Council that it has decided to lift the suspension on the leadership of the Federation with immediate effect but still insists on continuing its investigations in our internal matters. The said announcement was made by the Chairman at a Press Conference this afternoon which was also attended by the Honorable Minister of Youth and Sports, Henry Gomez.
It is worth noting that the refusal of the Federation not to be part of the illegal process to investigate our internal affairs is because their Act does not give them the mandate to undertake such tasks and it is this refusal that led to the NSC’s decision to suspend the leadership of the Federation on November, 9, 2017. FIFA also in its letter addressed to the President of the GFF on the 22nd November, 2017, emphasized that in accordance with art. 14 par. 1 let. i), and par. 3, and art. 19 par. 1 of the FIFA Statutes all member associations, including the GFF, are obliged to manage their affairs independently and without undue influence from any third party.
Therefore, the latest pronouncement by the Council is contrary to FIFA’s position and falls short of their demands. Consequently, we would like to reaffirm to our members, partners and the general public that our decision not to cooperate with this illegal process remains unchanged and none of our members or entities will be a party to it.
We are also aware that the Honorable Minister has been talking to FIFA authorities on the matter but the world football governing body has unequivocally made it clear to him that its position of non-third party interference in the management and affairs of the GFF remains unchanged and thus would not accept any investigation.
The GFF, its entire Executive and members would also like to take this opportunity to thank the President of the Republic, His Excellency Adama Barrow, the Chief Patron of The Gambia Football Federation, for his personal and timely intervention in resolving the matter in the interest of the Gambian youths.
