Village launch new attach on BFA
`bungling' the issue of the suspension of their goalkeeper Dwayne Adams.
A hard-hitting letter to member affiliates and signed by club president Rudolph Hollis emphasised that the matter was yet to be resolved to their satisfaction and that legal action remained a possibility.
"We are firmly of the opinion that the Executive Committee of the BFA have been misinformed and, as such, have erred in their decision,'' stated the release, which was obtained by The Royal Gazette yesterday.
"To make matters worse, the BFA have manipulated the public by making a number of incorrect or incomplete public statements in an attempt to discredit NVCC.
"This contemptuous behaviour has left us with no other recourse but to have this matter referred for legal resolution. We are aware that a favourable decision will not change our standing in the league, but the principles of right and wrong should not be compromised and our integrity must be protected.'' BFA Technical Director of Coaching Burkhard Ziese originally announced an indefinite suspension of Adams after the latter had failed to attend a training session with the Bermuda Olympic team, then another one in preparation for a match against a United States select.
The World Cup 'keeper later had the ban rescinded, but not before his team was made to forfeit two points from their penultimate league match -- against Dandy Town -- for allowing Adams to play in the face of the ban.
Ziese similarly came under fire for taking bold steps in announcing the suspension before notifying the BFA's Executive Committee.
"The decision by Burkhard Ziese to suspend Dwayne Adams was wrong and unconstitutional, therefore, it has no legal standing,'' continued the release.
"Burkhard Ziese is the Technical Director and not a member of the Executive or Disciplinary Committee, therefore he does not have the power to suspend players from domestic competitions.
"Due process did not take place in that the suspension was never discussed by the Executive Committee of the association prior to the action taken.'' Highlighted was the fact that the recent FIFA circular concerning regulations governing the status and transfer of players was not intended for non-amateur players. Therefore, Ziese had no right to restrict players prior to 48 hours before a match -- Adams was banished over two weeks prior to the scheduled representative match.
Also noted was that Village had never officially released Adams and the player had received the blessing of Olympic team coach Carlton Dill to travel abroad during the period in question.
Final points of reference were that Adams was never given a personal hearing before a committee of the BFA or told in writing of the charges. The club was also not given any official document in accordance with the constitution to advise of any such suspension.
The letter added that a council meeting called for April 27 now stood as the last opportunity to resolve the matter "in-house'' and that if that proved unsuccessful then instructions would be given to the club's attorneys to continue legal action.
DWAYNE ADAMS -- North Village goalkeeper is at the centre of the controversy.