Clarification sought on JFF vote

[Sir X]

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><SPAN class=TopStory>Clarification sought on JFF vote</SPAN>
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Tuesday, January 23, 2007
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<P class=StoryText align=justify>The validity of a motion moved at last Saturday's executive meeting of the board of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), is still to be determined.<P class=StoryText align=justify>General secretary of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), Burchell Gibson, speaking yesterday on RJR's sport talk show Sports Grill, said he has sought legal advice on the matter.<P class=StoryText align=justify>The motion - moved by KSAFA president Ambassador Stewart Stephenson - seeks fundamentally to have the voting congress of the JFF aligned to the World Cup year.
"I have spoken to three different lawyers, trying to get an interpretation of an article in our by-laws that speaks to majority of votes... one interpreted it as saying it was carried, and two are saying it can't be carried like that...," Gibson noted.<P class=StoryText align=justify>If clarification cannot be found here on the matter, Gibson said he will write to FIFA on the matter as a last resort. "We will take clarification to a higher level," Gibson said yesterday.<P class=StoryText align=justify>At the end of the meeting on Saturday after the voting and discussions, some board members were not certain whether the motion was carried and sought clarification.
"At the meeting, there was discussion whether the motion was carried or not...," said the general secretary, who is also president of the Portland Football Association.<P class=StoryText align=justify>"...The motion that was put forward is that the election should be held in the year of the World Cup, no specific period, (but) particularly after the World Cup," he added.<P class=StoryText align=justify>He said the motion was tabled and seconded, with "nine voting for, zero against", and there was one abstention. Some board members present did not participate.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Ambassador Stephenson, who also appeared on Sports Grill, said his motion had nothing to do with bringing forward this year's voting congress due in November, but specifically to deal with the idea of having these elections held in the World Cup year to allow a new administration to effectively chart its course.<P class=StoryText align=justify>"What we are proposing is to consider the principle (that) do we have a voting congress in the World Cup year following the Finals... for some time there has been this thought that a new administration should really have more time to prepare and plan its objectives and strategies going into a period," Stephenson said.<P class=StoryText align=justify>"...To move the election date for the holding of the next congress, was not the issue," he added.

[Karl]

RE: Clarification sought on JFF vote

Why would the JFF seek clarification from FIFA?

Let us look at the facts.

1. A motion was tabled and voted on.

2. A majority for was recorded.

3. The only matter to decide is - whether or not the movers of the motion andthose who supported itwould be willing to allow a second vote on the matter.

If the majority of those parties agree...another airing of the issue is held, and a speedy vote held.

If a majority refuse to go along with the decision to have a second vote, the original decision stands.

4. Who 'runs' the JFF? ...who makes these decisions?

The answer must be; the delegates so authorised to do the voting.It matters not what FIFA says...if the majority demands that the CONGRESS be held this year, it must be done.

Boxhill and Gibson, it appears, are fearful of being voted out of office. Ifin fact that is so, going against the wishes of the majority here makes it more certain they will be voted out of office.

I am sure the member-delegates if they so desire can move motions and set in place the climate to remove Boxhill and Gibson in 45 days if they so desire.

If I were advisingBoxhill and Gibson assuming they would like to retain there respective posts...the suggestion would be to:

a)"make friends and influence the member-delegtates andothers within the Officer, Executive Committee, Managing Committee and affiliates, ...and, others whohave influence on those partiesshoes and I wanted to retain their respective posts;

b) prepare to defend their current record of service...have good actions explained within the context of future plans - development and expected results and how 'the football' and the leaders at various levelsWILL benefit;

c)recognise that putting roadblocks in the path of the member-delegates is a 'no-no'...the aim must be to fosterthe 'we are all on the smae side'...'we are working with you'/'we are working along the same path'.

A bit late in the day...but, their only hope!

...based on my information, if the elections where held today they would not just lose, they would take a shell-lacking!They must work at turning the tide. Being always seen as being incapable of handling/leading the JFF as the 'run' to a batch of lawyers and threatening to tip-toe to FIFA does...is not the way toconvince the member-delegatesthatthey possess leadership skills.In fact, it does the opposite.