Stakeholders weigh in on Volcanoes Football Club ban

Kendall John, one of the leading figures in the Volcanoes Football Club has described as “excessive, harsh, cruel and unjust” the punishment meted to his club by the disciplinary committee of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation (SVGFF).

John, who is the team’s manager, is peeved that the entire club has been suspended for two years from competing in any tournaments held under the aegis of the SVGFF, as well as those supported by the Federation.

“ How can you ban an entire club for one incident?” John questioned.

He said the ban means that teams which fall under the Volcanoes FC banner are denied the opportunity to engage in organized Football for the next two years.

Another decision of the disciplinary committee is that no registered players with Volcanoes can be transferred to another club during the two year period.

“ So, you are going to deny Under-13s from playing Football for something they were not part of?” John asked.

Apart from the suspension, Volcanoes FC has been fined $3,000 to be paid by May. John himself was slapped with a two -year ban, while four players were suspended for varying periods. Jarius Phillips was suspended for 10 years; Derald Knights and Rasheed Wallace for five years each; and D’ Nelson Lewis, three years.

The suspension of the club, John and the four players, the fine, along with other measures by the disciplinary committee, followed investigations into an incident at the Victoria Park on February 8, 2023, involving Volcanoes FC and SV United, during a First Division fixture of the National Club Championships.

A Volcano player is alleged to have struck assistant referee, Justin Bullock, who was officiating on the western side of the venue.

As a result of the incident referee, Shadel Cyrus ended the match prematurely.

But, while John is peeved at the severity of the sanctions, president of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Referees Association, Elron Lewis is happy with the judgment.

“ We are very satisfied with this ban, and basically, this is an example to all Football clubs and players where violence towards referees is concerned, for all Football clubs to desist from verbally and physical abusing referees and officials,” Lewis emphasised.

His satisfaction with the sanctions is in sharp contrast with his disposition over a decision of the Federation’s disciplinary committee last year when Greiggs FC’s Shemorie Baptiste was given a three year suspension for an attack on referee, Rohan Primus.

That incident at the Chili Playing Field last November during a Division One game between Greiggs and SV United, left Primus’s face with lacerations.

In addition to the ban on Baptiste and having to compensate for Primus’s medical expenses, Greiggs was given a suspended sentence; fined $1,000; two club members were required to undergo conflict resolution training; and the guilty club was ordered to host a conflict resolution session.

John has questioned the consistency of the decisions of the disciplinary committee, noting that a more severe incident was given a less severe punishment.

Volcanoes FC has the option of appealing the decision of the disciplinary committee and SEARCHLIGHT understands that preparations are being made by the club to lodge an appeal.