Will Hypolite be fired?

The fate of General Secretary of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation (SVGFF) Ian Hypolite is in the hands of a legal person.{{more}}

Newly-installed President of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation Venold Coombs told SEARCHLIGHT on Sunday that his Executive met in an emergency session last Friday evening, and decided to travel the legal course in the matter.

“Right now, we are seeking a legal opinion on the matter, as it is not simple as one may think,” Coombs revealed.

Hypolite, who has been the fulcrum of the organisation since officially taking up the post on May 24, last year, was last Friday suspended by FIFA Ethics Committee for 15 days and fined 300 Swiss francs for violations of the Code of Ethics connected to the investigation of the cases related to a special Caribbean Football Union (CFU) meeting, held in Trinidad and Tobago, May 10 and 11 this year.

At that meeting of CFU officials, then FIFA presidential candidate Mohammed bin Hammam of Qatar, is believed to have offered officials US$40,000.

It is known that some accepted, while others refused the money.

The monetary gifts later became known as the “cash for vote scandal”.

Hypolite and former President of the SVGFF Joseph Delves, who attended the meeting, have vehemently denied accepting any bribes at the said meeting.

Delves, who did not stand for re-election at the September 24, 2011 SVGFF elections, had all charges against him dropped. They can, however, be re-opened if he gets involved in the sport in an official capacity.

In commenting on the judgement handed down to Hypolite, Coombs said that it is his personal opinion that the case against Hypolite was an “embarrassing situation”.

“You must bear in mind that the General Secretary’s job is critical to the President in terms of secrecy and confidentiality,” Coombs added.

Coombs said that, in the interim, there are systems in place to run the affairs of the Federation in the absence of Hypolite, during the 15-day period.

“We have capable persons on the Executive to do the job; things will go on with or without him,” Coombs said.

Hypolite was charged for violation under the Article 7, paragraph one, which advises that bodies and officials must observe the statutes, regulations, decisions and code of ethics of FIFA in their activities.

In addition, Hypolite was said to have infringed Article 3, paragraphs one and two, which states that officials are expected to be aware of the importance of their function and concomitant obligations and responsibilities. Their conduct shall reflect the fact that they support and further the principles and the objectives of FIFA in every way and refrain from anything that could be harmful to these aims and objectives. They shall respect the significance of their allegiance to FIFA, confederations, associations, leagues and clubs and represent them honestly, worthily, respectably and with integrity.

Hypolite was said to have also flouted Article 9, paragraph one, which reads: “while performing their duties, officials shall recognise their fiduciary duty, especially to FIFA, the confederations, associations, leagues and clubs”.

Additionally, the General Secretary did not adhere to Article 14, paragraph one, which states that officials shall report any evidence of violations of conduct to the FIFA Secretary General, who shall report it to the competent body.

Hypolite, the first to be appointed in the paid post of the SVGFF, has indicated that he plans to appeal the suspension and fine. (RT)