The Tribune

THE dispute between the administration of the Bahamas Football Association and several of its member clubs continues as several individuals affiliated with those clubs were denied access to the organisation’s annual general meeting.

In early November, the FC Nassau Pirates, Baha Juniors FC, Youth Empowerment Soccer International (YESI), Manta Rays SC and Lyford Cay FC were “excluded” from the BFA Y-League and all other leagues.

Representatives from those clubs and other enthusiasts - including parents of youth players - were denied access to the BFA’s Annual General Meeting, hosted yesterday at SuperClubs Breezes Resort.

The Tribune was also denied access to the meeting.

BFA President Anton Sealey said the meetings are never a public matter and as the clubs were not in good standing with the league, they were not privy to the matters discussed at congress.

“The congress has never been made open to the public. It is simply for the executives to give a stewardship to the members. If you are suspended, you are not a member in good standing so you should not expect to be allowed in a meeting such as this,” he said. “I don’t think this is out of the ordinary or out of line with how any other organisation handles business with members who are not in good standing with their respective association or federation.”

The group was intent on raising several questions regarding the current state of affairs in the BFA, the issues surrounding the formation of the Bahamas Development Soccer League, structuring and organisation within the BFA, transparency, player development and a host of other issues.