Volcanoes Football Club banned for two years

The Volcanoes Football Club has been banned for two years from competing in any Football activity organized or supported by the St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation (SVGFF).

Relatedly, no member of the team registered to the 2022/2023 National Club Championships can be transferred to any other club during the two- year period.

In addition, the club is fined $3,000, while four players have been given suspensions of between three years and 10 years; and manager Kendal John, has received a two year suspension.

These are some of the decisions taken by the disciplinary committee of the SVGFF, following a first division match in the National Club Championships between Volcanoes and SV United at the Victoria Park on February 8, 2023.

The match ended prematurely after assistant referee, Justin Bullock was allegedly struck by one of the Volcanoes players.

The ensuing fracas forced referee, Shadel Cyrus to end the match, which at time was level at two goals apiece.

Hence, SV United was awarded an additional three goals, giving them a favourable 5-2 score line.

The latest disciplinary actions followed investigations into the incident, in which six players of the Volcanoes team and John were involved.

As a consequence, Jarius Phillips was suspended for 10 years; Derald Knights and Rasheed Wallace will each be out for five years; and D’ Nelson Lewis has been handed a three year suspension.

Two other players, Delano Benjamin and Orlando Campbell, must each participate in a conflict resolution session approved by the SVGFF, while Phillips, Knights, Wallace and Lewis must have double sessions.

The club also has been ordered to participate in a conflict resolution session as approved by the SVGFF.

According to a SVGFF release dated February, 28, and signed by general secretary, Devron Poyer “The Club should communicate in writing to the Referee and the member[s] of the SVGFF its remorse for the behaviour of its player”.

The Federation’s release also indicated that Volcanoes club has the right to appeal under Article XLI of the SVGFF’s constitution.