FIFA eyeing JFF, Pat Garel dispute
Published:Wednesday | January 17, 2024 | 12:11 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
DENNIS CHUNG, general secretary of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), said even though Beach Soccer Jamaica (BSJ) is not an affiliate of the federation, FIFA can take action against head of the organisation, Pat Garel.
Garel successfully filed a complaint in court, which resulted in an injunction being placed on a JFF election, scheduled for Sunday past at Rusea’s High School in Hanover.
The BSJ argued to the court that it is the original administrator of beach football in the country and that it should be allowed to vote in the election, but that the JFF had recognised a fairly new organisation, Beach Football Jamaica Limited (BFJL), which is now the eligible entity to vote.
Garel insists the BSJ should be the one to be considered and the court accepted her argument that an injunction be granted and the election postponed until both parties present their cases to the court on February 9.
However, FIFA statutes strictly state that it is prohibited to seek any type of provisional measures through an ordinary court of law.
Chung noted that FIFA has their eyes on the situation and could summon them at any time.
The general secretary also pointed out that even though the BSJ and Garel are not members of the JFF, FIFA can take certain actions against Garel, such as banning her from all football-related activities.
“They (FIFA) are not in favour of the injunction. It breached FIFA statutes.
“They (FIFA) have been looking at it. They are aware of everything, so I expect them to come to us at some point,” he said.
He continued that. “Beach Soccer Jamaica and Pat Garel are not members of the JFF. If they are not a member, no action can be taken against them as a member.
“I do not know how that will go. That will be a decision that FIFA would have to take.
“I know that in some countries, FIFA has indicated that certain people, based on what they have done, cannot participate in football. But that is a decision that they will have to take.
“They (FIFA) are reviewing it. I do not know what the outcome will be for something like this. But that is always a decision that FIFA can take against a non-member.”
He said that there could also be repercussions for the federation and national teams if the case persists in the courts.
“The disciplinary code is there, so it could mean suspension, expulsion, it can be a fine or some form of sanction or a warning. So it ranges,” he explained.
The court case is the first in the JFF’s 114-year history, and despite all the possible pitfalls, Chung does not think it has to be a bad precedent.
“It depends on how we resolve it. It is a breach of the JFF constitution, which says any decision taken by the appeals committee is final and binding,
“But this (seeking resolution through the courts) is a right that everybody has and she is not a FIFA member and Beach Soccer is not a member and we can only deal with our members.
“But the first declaration you make as a member, is to obey the JFF, FIFA, CFU and Concacaf constitutions. You subject yourself to that membership obligation. But they are not a member and will not be restricted by that declaration,” explained Chung.
Nevertheless, he believes Congress’ decision to select the BFJL over the BSJ will be upheld in court.
“It’s a decision of Congress and Congress is the supreme body in the federation and if Congress makes a decision, it is very difficult to overturn.”