The Volcanoes Football Club has been handed a two-year suspension from all competitions organized by the St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation (SVGFF) following an incident that occurred during a 1st Division match on February 8 against SV United.
It has also been slapped with a fine of EC$3,000 to be paid by May 23, 2023.
The match was an encounter in the SVGFF National Club Championship, and the incident occurred between Delarno Benjamin (8), Orlando Campbell (14), D’Nelson Lewis (9), Derald Knight (10), Rasheed Wallace (7), Jarius Phillips (5), Kendal John – Manager of Volcanoes FC and the referee Shadel Cyrus and AR1 Justin Bullock.
In a letter from the SVGFF to the President of the Volcanoes FC, Kendal John dated February 24, it indicated that the Disciplinary Committee held meetings between February 14 and 16 to investigate and deliberate on what transpired during the match based on the evidence that had been provided.
Asbert News Network (ANN) has obtained a copy of the letter which outlined the committee’s decisions which include the suspension of the Club for a period of two years.
Club members are also required to participate in at least one conflict resolution session approved by the SVGFF and at the end of the two-year suspension, “the Club must demonstrate their readiness and commitment to upholding the true values and spirit of Fair Play as advocated by the SVGFF and FIFA.”
It is only upon this approval will the Club be reinstated in the First Division of the National Club Championship the letter indicated.
The Disciplinary Committee further noted that the Club must communicate in writing to the Referee Association and the SVGFF its remorse for the behavior of its players and officials.
Among the disciplinary action decided upon, the individuals involved in the incident have received suspensions from SVGFF organized and supported events.
Lewis was suspended for a period of three (3) years; Knight and Wallace were both suspended for a period of five (5) years; Phillips was suspended for 10 years, and President John was suspended for a period of two (2) years.
These players and Club official are also required to participate in at least two conflict resolution sessions while Benjamin and Campbell received lighter disciplinary actions and are only required to participate in at least one conflict resolution session approved by the SVGFF.
This is the second time within months that the Disciplinary Committee of the SVGFF has had to take action against a local football Club.
Shemorie Baptiste of Greiggs FC was banned for a period of three-years after he is alleged to have assaulted a referee during a match back in November 2022.
The Club, Greiggs FC was also fined EC$1,000 and received a conditional suspension for the remainder of the 2022/23 season of the National Club Championships.
