The Volcanoes Football Club has been reinstated, making all units and members eligible to participate in the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation’s (SVGFF) competitions.
Indications to that effect were contained in a letter signed by Devron Poyer, General Secretary of the SVGFF, and communicated to the President of Volcanoes- Maxim James.
Among the decisions relayed was that the two-year ban on the club had been “overturned,” in keeping with the “National Olympic Committee’s guidelines.”
The entire club was banned for two years, following an incident in a fixture of the 2022/23 National Club Championships at the Victoria Park, February 8, this year. On that date, Volcanoes was facing SV United in a First Division fixture of the championships.
The incident involved Volcanoes FC players mistreating match officials both physically and verbally, amounting to failure to adhere to the FIFA Ethics and Disciplinary Codes in 2022-2023.
What ensued was a host of suspensions and fines, and the two-year ban, as adjudicated by the Disciplinary Committee of the SVGFF.
In addition to the two-year ban, no registered member of the club was allowed to be transferred to another club during the period of suspension, and the Club was to communicate in writing to the Referee Association and the member of the SVGFF, its remorse for the behaviour of its players and official.
Moreover, the Club was fined the sum of three thousand dollars XCD ($3,000.00) that should have been paid by May 2023; while the Club members were required to participate in at least one Conflict Resolution session approved by the SVGFF.
Players and Manager – Kendal John who were fingered in the incident received bans: D’Nelsen Lewis was handed a three-year suspension; Derald Knight and Rasheed Wallace- five years; Jarius Phillips– ten years; and John– two years.
However, in lifting the ban, no mention was made of John’s punishment. Lewis, Knight, Phillips, Wallace, along with Delano Benjamin and Orlando Campbell were identified as the accused in the incident.
At the end of the two-year suspension the Club must demonstrate its readiness and commitment to uphold the true values and spirt of Fair Play as advocated by the SVGFF and FIFA.
The SVGFF, upon receipt of acknowledgment of the letter by Volcanoes FC, will move to enact all appropriate procedures to facilitate the action as outlined.
