SVGFF clears constitutional hurdle

The two-thirds majority to adopt the new statutes of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation was attained last Wednesday, January 10, 2024, at the Methodist Church Hall, Kingstown.

This was achieved at an Extra-ordinary Congress convened to vote on the matter of adoption.

But it was a hard grind, as the minimal 34 votes needed from the 50 affiliates present, voted in favour.

On the other hand, 14 were against, whilst there were 2 abstentions and 3 affiliates were absent.

The adoption of the statutes was a major hurdle that protracted the staging of the elective congress that was due in November, 2023.

One of the areas of contention was Article 23.8, which states: “The bodies shall be either elected or appointed by the SVGFF itself without any undue external influence and in accordance with the procedure described in these Statutes. The members of the bodies shall not have previously been found guilty of any criminal offence incompatible with the position . In addition, the members of the bodies shall not have previously been sanctioned and/or suspended by any body of FIFA, CONCACAF and or SVGFF”.

This resulted in several back and forth correspondences between the sport’s world governing body FIFA and the Secretariat of the SVGFF.

It was reported that FIFA agreed that the alleged contentious article, as well as other debatable ones, should stand.

Hence, the adoption of the statues paves the way for the hosting of Congress on Saturday, January 27, 2024.

The road map towards the congress shows the nomination and proposal submissions of Council Members slated for today, January 12, 2024.

On Tuesday, January 16, is the date set aside for the Integrity Check of candidates. Three days later, affiliates will be informed of the respective candidates who will contest the four positions.

Also, on January 19, the agenda of the Congress will be made known to the affiliates.