Administrators retarding progress of football

Senior CONCACAF Vice President Barbadian Lisle Austin has described some Football administrators in the region as “stupid, arrogant, and people who steal money.” They are, therefore, in his opinion, retarding the progress of the sport in the Caribbean.{{more}}

Austin made that assessment as he addressed last week’s launch of Digicel’s twelve-month television coverage of Football matches, culminating with the 2010 World Cup Finals in South Africa from June 11 to July 11.

Asked to expand on his comments by SEARCHLIGHT, Austin said he wants to see greater accountability of countries’ annual draw down from FIFA’s Assistance Programme (FAP).

“We draw US$250,000 a year, a million dollars over four years. What do they with the money? Austin questioned.

“What do they do with the money? This needs to be investigated,” he reiterated.

“I am not happy with it, and we have to do something about it. It can destroy our image and confidence,” the former President of the Barbados Football Association said.

“We have to be seen as a people based on honesty,” Austin continued.

Without naming any specific CONCACAF or CFU nation, Austin said that some escape from being shamed because FIFA randomly selects those who are up for forensic audit. therefore, some get away.

Austin was also critical of those countries which are yet to cash in on FIFA’s Goal Project, in which US$ 400,000 is provided for infrastructural development.

He charged that while FIFA will not penalize them in any way, a more professional approach must be taken towards the administration of Football in the Caribbean.

In charge of refereeing in the region, Austin said that FIFA is spending US$17 Million on a Referees Assistance Programme.

But he was equally concerned that despite this, there are some FIFA member countries in the Caribbean which are yet to have a FIFA approved Referee or Referee Assistant.

The Senior CONCCCAF official is, however, hopeful about “Vision Caribbean”, a document which when fully implemented will seek to address many of the shortcomings of regional Football Associations and Federations.

Austin said there are moves afoot to streamline the operations of all FIFA affiliates so that there will be one equal constitution throughout the world.

Austin was at a media conference to launch Digicel’s television coverage of FIFA’s 2010 finals at the Sandy Lane Country Club in Barbados on Friday, June 12. He was standing in for FIFA Vice President and President of CONCACAF and CFU, Austin “Jack” Warner.(RT)