Gonsalves Urged to Retire

Details

Football

Friday, 11 November 2011 02:30

By Everton Barnes

Antigua & Barbuda is back in the football spotlight with this weekend’s World Cup qualifying match against Haiti, but this has in no way diminished the cloud of controversy surrounding Antigua Football Association President Everton "Batow" Gonsalves and General Secretary Gordon "Banks" Derrick, over allegations that they accepted payments during the campaign for the FIFA presidency.

Both officials have vehemently denied accepting bribes from one of the contenders for the presidency, Mohammad bin Hammam of Qatar. A FIFA investigation revealed that bin Hammam made the payments when he met with Caribbean delegates at a meeting in Trinidad earlier this year. Several delegations have admitted receiving payments, but the Antiguan duo has been steadfast in denying the claim.

There has been a call for Gonsalves to resign to save his own reputation, and that of Antigua & Barbuda. The suggestion came from a source close to the AFA, who noted that both men are scheduled to appear before the FIFA Ethics Committee next Tuesday.

“FIFA has indicated that it will be lenient with those delegations that co-operate with its investigations, but Antigua & Barbuda has been non-cooperative in the exercise,” the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

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The source said he fears that should the Ethics Committee find Antigua & Barbuda guilty of ethics violations, FIFA is likely to throw the book at them.
The source noted that CONCACAF President Jack Warner, and now the president of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association, have already resigned, along with officials from several other Caribbean territories implicated in the scandal.

“With resignation, there’s a presumption of innocence and one is able maintain one’s reputation," the source noted. "But if, on the other hand, one is found in violation, then the consequences could be devastating." However, Gonsalves is adamant that he is innocent. He confirmed his pending appearance before the Ethics Committee, but said he is not sure whether that means travelling to Switzerland, or via video conference.

“I am prepared to go and say exactly what I know. I will tell the truth, because I have a clear conscience,” he said. He said he is not worried, as even in cases where presidents have admitted to have accepted the bribes, FIFA has ruled "in very strange ways".

The AFA president also denied the charge of non-cooperation, stating that circumstances at home have prevented him from attending meetings called to hear directly from the delegates themselves. He said as a member of FIFA, he is obligated to attend meetings of the organisation and to co-operate with any investigation.

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