FFB 10th Ordinary Congress Aborted Twice
Football Federation of BelizeOn June 24th, 2017 the Football Federation of Belize proceeded to hold its 10th Ordinary Congress, however only four of the eight members were present, namely: Belize, Cayo, Stann Creek and Toledo and thus could not make quorum. Absent were Belmopan, Corozal, Orange Walk and the Premier League of Belize (PLB). In accordance with the statutes the Congress was set for 24 hours later.
On June 25th, 2017 at 10 am a second attempt was made to hold its 10th Ordinary Congress. Congress was once again aborted as there was no quorum as only Belize, Stann Creek and Toledo were represented of the eight members. While these delegates that were present had the opportunity to vote on those items that were within their purview in the absence of quorum, they chose not to, and the meeting ended without fanfare.
The FFB wishes to Respond to Allegations of a 'Rigged Election'
Football Federation of BelizeThe Football Federation of Belize has been informed of the Press Conference and the serious allegations of a ‘rigged election’ as relayed by Mr. Sergio Chuc and wishes to respond as follows:-
1. Upon Mr. Chuc submitting his name for the post of President of the Federation on 12th May 2017, information that was passed onto the General Secretary as to allegations of some serious misconduct on Mr. Chuc’s part and potential interference with a fair and even election was then sent to the Electoral Committee who under their statute had the power to determine the eligibility and fitness of any candidate.
2. The Electoral Committee had the benefit of reviewing all documents presented to it for the purpose of determining the applicant’s eligibility. Mr. Chuc is being intentionally misleading as to the exact wording of the letter from the Disciplinary Committee and we intend to relay exactly what had transpired.
The letter as relied on by Mr. Chuc from the Disciplinary committee was very clear in its wording for 2 reasons:
a. At the time the Disciplinary committee had met, Mr. Chuc was not a member of FFB and additionally had not at that point submitted his candidacy and therefore the Disciplinary Committee would not have had any jurisdiction over him to render any discipline; and
b. The disciplinary committee was asked to deal with the issue of other members of the Football Federation whom they had jurisdiction over.
To confirm this point, the decision of the Disciplinary committee as it related to Mr. Chuc stated verbatim:
“1….The committee accepts that an investigation was carried out on Sergio Chuc by the secretariat, however the Committee concludes unanimously
that the actual request required that an investigation be carried out on the chairpersons and not Sergio Chuc as they are the members of FIFA as described in the code. The Disciplinary Committee has no jurisdiction or cannot properly be moved to act unless upon a specific request for an investigation, the investigation is conducted, evidence is gathered to substantiate the allegations and a charge is laid.
2. `It is further unanimous conclusion of the Committee that by virtue of Article 2 of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee 2011, Sergio Chuc was not a prescribed person as covered by Article 2 at the time the allegation was made.”
As a result of these statements, the issue was then ‘put to bed’ as it was clear the Disciplinary committee could not at that point render any decision as it relates to Mr. Chuc who was not a member. The fact that the letter stated there wasn’t an iota of evidence meant they could not investigate the issue and furthermore as stated, all evidence of wrongdoing by the potential applicant had not in any event been presented to the Disciplinary Committee.
The Electoral Committee then made its decision on May 25, 2017 in compliance with their statute and the time line and the decision was relayed to Mr. Chuc. Not being satisfied and knowing of the appeal process, Mr. Chuc appealed the decision of the Electoral Committee to the Appeals Committee through his Attorney Mr. Danilczyk and a very detailed response was provided to him setting out the reasons why the decision of the Electoral Committee would stand.
Factoring all this, we are unclear as to the allegations of a rigged election as at all times the decisions in relation to eligibility to run were dealt with by the appropriate committees who are all made up of elected members separate and apart from the Executive Members. It is unfortunate that Mr. Chuc has sought the public’s sympathy in aiding his cause but in order to move football from where it has been in Belize, there must be changes and respect for the various rules and regulations.
The Annual Congress of the FFB is set for June 24, 2017 and listed on the Agenda is election for President and Vice President among other items. Should the members of FFB on the inaccurate portrayal of events from Mr. Chuc choose to boycott the Congress, this is indeed unfortunate and it again shows that FOOTBALL itself will never be able to advance in Belize where there are flagrant disregard for rule and regulations. FFB is bound to call its Annual Congress and will do so in conformity with the rules and Statutes or it faces great sanctions such as possible suspension from FIFA which is the main source of its income to upkeep football playing in Belize.
It is the hope of the current executive that upon the full complement of the Executive being put in place that significant changes will be made in order to move football forward. However in order to make this come to fruition it takes commitment and participation from all those involved and the willingness to adhere to rules and make the hard decisions where necessary.
Sergio Chuc’s call to boycott football federation elections succeeds
Breaking Belize NewsThe fear of the Football Federation of Belize (FFB) came true today (June 24) as the scheduled Annual Congress was cancelled due to a boycott called by Sergio Chuc.
Sergio Chuc, FFB presedential candidate who was barred from running in the election, called for the boycott, because he said that that the Federation’s Electoral Committee barred him unjustly. On June 12th 2017, Chuc held a press conference and reported that 60% of the voting members were supporting his boycott.
Today, FFB members from the Premier League of Belize along with the member district associations of Orange Walk, Corozal, Belmopan and Cayo, boycotted the Annual congress, where a new FFB president should have been elected.
The boycotting members represented 14 out of a possible 20 voting delegates, making quorum impossible for the congress or the elections to proceed.
The FFB had issued a statement asking its members not to proceed with the boycott, because of the possible implications that it could have on football in Belize.
The FFB explained that if the congress is not held, the federation “faces great sanctions such as possible suspension from FIFA which is the main source of its income to upkeep football playing in Belize.”
In lieu of the elections, acting president, Marlon Kuylen will remain president, until the situation is resolved.
According to regulations, the federation has to make another attempt at holding the congress within 24 hours. If they fall short of quorum again, they will have to hold the congress at another date, but within a limited time frame.
Quotes“It’s not the optimal thing, given the situation. The political tension that Belize is going through, I would like to stress, like I told the congress, for the past three elections we’ve encountered tensions here in Belize. It’s always the same situation. We want to look to the future of Belize, towards the development of football in the country and sometimes these politics gets in the way and hinder the normal operation of the federation.”--- Marco Leal, Director of Member Associations, CONCACAF.
“For our FIFA and CONCACAF representatives to take the time out to come to Belize and us not being able to complete our mandate and comply with our statutes of having our congress, to me it’s very embarrassing. It’s unfortunate. We’ve tried so hard despite the many challenges we’ve had this past year. We made some strides, some forward strides, but the politics brings out the ugly side of football and it’s very, very unfortunate.”--- Marlon Kuylen, Acting President, F.F.B.
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