Chaguanas North appeal goes to disciplinary committee.
By: Andrew Gioannetti (Guardian).
A day after Central Zone representative Carapichaima East was eliminated by Presentation College of San Fernando in the Big Five competition, the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) has put Chaguanas North’s appeal to reverse a points deduction ruling before its disciplinary committee.
The appeal by Chaguanas North was issued on Thursday, the same day as the Big-Five fixture and a day after the SSFL, through its credentials committee issued a letter stating that nine points were to be deducted from Chaguanas North for the alleged fielding of ineligible players, which gave Carapichaima East the Central Zone league title.
The appeal was also issued less than two hours before the Big-Five match was scheduled to kick off, but an official at Chagaunas North. The official challenged via the appeal, among other grounds, that “the credentials committee had no jurisdiction to decide that my school lost the games that Joshua Garcia (one of the names in question) played in.”
The SSFL constitution states that credentials committee is to refer all matters for judgement to the disciplinary committee. Chaguanas North, however, was never summoned to appear before the disciplinary committee, but only the credentials committee. The credentials committee is chaired by Ganesh Ramlogan, an assistant manager of Carapichaima’s football team.
In the initial verdict, on a letter dated October 31 (Thursday) and signed by SSFL general secretary Azaad Mohammed Khan, Chaguanas North was instructed: “I (Khan) have been directed by the Credentials Committee of the league to write you Re. the decision of the Committee which investigated the bona fides of Joshua Garcia, Jaeel Jeffrey and Ainsley County.” The committee found that Garcia did not satisfy the “transfer of players criteria”, stating that he repeated Form Five twice.
The letter also said the committee found Jeffrey was properly registered but “have sought and is awaiting legal advice” on the issues of County and Garcia, before a ruling is made.
In response, the same day as the SSFL’s letter was dated, and two hours before the Big-Five match between Presentation College and Carapichaima kicked off, Chaguanas North’s, via an official, appealed.
The official concluded that the game (Big-Five) involving the Central Zone representatives should be placed on hold pending the outcome of the appeal.
Contacted for comment, Chaguanas North coach Nicholas Griffith said he felt the schools was suffering from victimization, by officials from the SSFL, who are also employed at Carapichaima East.
“They wait for us to beat Carapichaima on the final day to raise an issue,” said Griffith. Griffith also noted that the post-dated letter provided by the SSFL and faxed to Chaguanas North was dated October 31, a day after it was actually sent to the school. “The fax came in after 3 pm, when school was already finished.”
Griffith revealed yesterday that the appeal was accepted and would go before the disciplinary committee.
Khan was also contacted, and when asked why the decision came from the credentials committee and not the decsciplinary committee, he said, “That should not have happened.
It should have gone to the disciplinary committee.” Khan was also asked if Chaguanas North’s appeal is successful, would the school have the opportunity to play Presentation College in a replay of the semifinal. He replied, “No. The Presentation is in the final. The decision stands. I can give you a reason, but off the record.”
