Thompson denies rift exists in BFA
of a discord among he and the executive, indicating reports of rampant infighting among top administrators to be erroneous.
This despite comments to the contrary by at least three committee members, including recently resigned club representative Nelson Bascome, in an article appearing in Wednesday's Royal Gazette which noted how it had been the intention of the entire executive to resign at the BFA's AGM on Monday, September 19.
The scenario failed to unfurl after the rank and file affiliates pleaded to and were successful in persuading most of the members to hold on to their positions and persevere for the betterment of soccer.
"Things just didn't materialise as it was supposed to,'' one irate member was quoted as saying earlier this week. "Everybody was supposed to resign, it was a simple as that.'' Yet, Thompson was adamant that the situation was not nearly as serious as the story would have one believe.
"The matter has been resolved and I don't wish to say anything else about it,'' said Thompson in a hushed baritone voice. "We've had our AGM. The executive committee has been given a vote of confidence and we have decided to pull together and do what's good for football.'' Asked if Wednesday's report was merely been the voice of a select few among the hierarchy and not a true indication of the whole, Thompson was non-committal, saying: "I don't know anything about that.'' As far as Thompson was concerned he and the executive were in perfect tandem as they move through the early stages of the 1995-96 campaign.
Still, rumours persist regarding the `lame duck' position of the president and more specifically how much longer he can or will be allowed to hang on to the post.
Thompson initially was scrutinised for his handling of the Miami Seven drug bust that resulted in the appointment of a board of inquiry to investigate events which led to the arrests and also the state of local soccer.
Since receiving the report from a team headed by Sir John Sharpe, the BFA has come under further fire for their slow response and acceptance of recommendations outlined in the report.
A decision may not come until early next week regarding whether the abandoned Martonmere Cup first round fixture between Vasco and North Village will be replayed or have the result stand.
BFA general secretary David Sabir yesterday intimated preliminary discussions to have already taken place and that a report was being drafted for submission to the executive for final approval.
A power shortage at Devonshire Rec., brought the affair to a premature close to the night's supposed curtain-raiser with Vasco leading 3-0, but still 20 minutes remaining in the contest.
Sabir made a point to absolve the Devonshire club of responsibility as the problem -- which has become a frequent one -- was believed to be one with a faulty transformer outside the grounds.