Football official calls for ‘professionalism’ in SVGFF’s secretariat

Committee Member of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation (SVGFF) Donald Thomas wants to see greater professionalism in the organisation’s secretariat.{{more}}

Thomas, who is the point man of the executive on matters pertaining to the media, made this assessment to SEARCHLIGHT last Tuesday, in light of privileged documents being leaked to the public.

He was speaking in direct reference to the FIFA development programmes: KPMG central programme audit for the year 2013, which was sent to the general secretary of the SVGFF Trevor Huggins from general secretary of FIFA Jerome Valcke, as well as correspondence penned by first vice- president Kenton Ollivierre, requesting a vote of confidence, up or down on the presidency of Venold Coombs.

An evidently upset Thomas told SEARCHLIGHT: “I am appealing to those members who are engaging in such acts of unprofessionalism to resign.”

Without naming anyone or laying blame on any particular officer, Thomas however, called on Huggins to take greater responsibility in the manner in which certain matters of the secretariat are dealt with.

“If a document comes from anybody, the general secretary should make a copy for the president… These documents should not reach the media,” Thomas contended.

Thomas also explained some of the issues raised by Valcke in his letter.

“It was not a case of misappropriation of funds or anything of that sort, but a case of not managing things properly and putting the necessary things in place… This is where the general secretary should take more control of the office and become more professional,” Thomas outlined.

In Valcke’s May 5 letter, he wrote: “The budget is not properly monitored and there are huge deviations between the approved budget and the disbursed amount per category without FIFA approval.”

The FIFA general secretary also pointed to the fact that some employees of the SVGFF are without employment contracts.

Again, Thomas lashed out at Huggins, stating that he is the one who should have ensured that such practices were carried out as stipulated by FIFA.

Also taking a swipe at Ollivierre, Thomas remarked, “I felt very disappointed with the first vice-president with the way he handled the media last week …. He went about it wrongly… He did not come to the executive, as should be the proper course… He did not even come to me — the senior administrative media officer of the federation, but it went to the press,” Thomas said while persistently tapping his left leg.

Despite his concerns, Thomas informed SEARCHLIGHT via a release, of the executive’s approach to deal with the fallouts with the audit.

“The executive accepted and acknowledged the deficiencies pointed out by FIFA and has moved swiftly to address the situation and in this regard has formulated a comprehensive plan of action which has been/will submitted to FIFA for its approval”, the release said.

“Additionally, the SVGFF’s delegation to the 64th Congress in Brazil will hold further discussions with FIFA officials regarding the plan of action, as well as other pertinent issues associated with the development of our beautiful game,” it further stated.

Thomas revealed that second vice-president Marvin Fraser, third vice- president Paul Boucher and committee member Earl Bennett are the persons attending the congress on behalf of the SVGFF.

“The Executive, being cognizant of the critical importance of this issue to the football loving public, will hold a press briefing soonest to provide the details of this plan of action,” the release concluded.(RT)