Why did FIFA abandon our Football; Ignorance or Arrogance?

For the first time in its long history, Sri Lanka football was suspended by FIFA last week. So, the Red Card finally came out and the FIFA letter of January 22, 2023 addressed to the FFSL General Secretary, Upali Hewage (discarded by recent actions orchestrated by the Ministry of Sports (MoS), tells its side of the story. In summary, this is that story:

■ In June 2019, a joint FIFA-AFC mission „■ arrived in Sri Lanka to review FFSL statutes.

■ During that visit, the mission met the then MoS of Sports and explained the overall process and the terms of the statutory revisions that was sought.

■ FIFA, AFC along with FFSL envisaged that this process be adopted by first or second quarter of 2021, prior to election by July 31, 2021.

■ MoS ignored that understanding and asked FFSL to hold an elective general assembly no later than June 2021, for a one year term, based on the existing FFSL statutes.

■ In effect, postponing the finalisation and adoption of the of the New FFSL statutes till after the elections.

■ MoS also specified that it would work with FIFA and AFC to review the FFSL statutes in order to align with their requirements, prior to conducting the next elections for a four year term.

■ The FIFA Bureau observed that on June 28, 2021, FIFA and AFC stated that FFSL could proceed with the elections for a new FFSL ExCo as planned by the MoS for the transitionary period, so far as the new FFSL statutes foresaw the holding of the elections and new ExCo for a four year term thereafter.

■ FIFA and AFC underlined that should a review of the FFSL statutes be finalised by FFSL prior to the overhaul of the Sri Lanka Sports Law, this would not be an issue for the new FFSL statutes to be adopted and implemented.

■ The FIFA Bureau noted that that mandate of the FFSL ExCo ended on June 30, 2022.

■ Between September 5 and 8, a FIFA mission arrived in Colombo and conducted extensive discussions with FFSL and MoS with regard to the ongoing revision process and FFSL elections in particular.

■ It was agreed that elections for a new FFSL ExCo would be held by the end of October 2022 with the new FFSL statutes in line with FIFA and AFC requirements.

■ On September 22, 2022, the FFSL General Assembly successfully adopted the new FFSL statutes.

■ The FIFA Bureau additionally took note that the FFSL Electoral Committee would call for election of a new FFSL ExCo that would take place on January 14, 2023, by an open voting system.

■ On December 23, 2022, a joint FIFA-AFC letter was sent to FFSL, following several media reports that a deviation of the road map was indicated, following a court order issued at the end of October 2022.

■ It was noted that elections of a new FFSL ExCo would take place on January 14, 2023 for a four-month term based on the previous version of the FFSL statutes; contrary to what had been agreed.

■ FIFA and AFC requested FFSL to provide an adjusted road map in line with the previous understanding between the relevant parties.

■ FIFA and AFC reminded FFSL of its statutory obligation to manage its affairs independently and without undue influence of third parties – MoS, and warned of possible consequences, including a possible suspension.

■ The FFSL responded and reiterated that it would proceed as per the old FFSL statutes; a deviation on the initial road map agreed by all parties.

■ On January 16, 2023, Jaswar Umar informed FIFA and AFC that the elections had taken place as per the old FFSL statutes and his own nomination had been rejected by the MoS (though approved earlier) without providing reasons, whereas two nominations for the position of Vice President, which had been rejected, came to be approved at a later stage.

■ Consequently, the FIFA Bureau considered these circumstances under Article 14 of FIFA Statutes and inferred that undue influences were being asserted by a third party – MoS.

■ On January 21, 2023, FIFA Bureau decided to suspend FFSL with immediate effect due to flagrant violation of the FIFA statutes.

■ FIFA informs FFSL that lifting of the suspension would be subject to; 1) Official and written exemption from the National Sports Law and guarantee of the recognition and implementation of new FFSL statutes,

2) That FFSL ExCo would be fully in

charge of FFSL’s daily affairs until a new FFSL ExCo is elected. As such FIFA and AFC does not recognise the elections held on January 14, 2023, 3) Elections of a new FFSL ExCo to be organised as per the new FFSL Statutes and by secret ballot for a four year term.

In accordance with Article 13 of the FIFA Statutes, the FFSL loses its membership rights as at January 21, 2023 and thus the entirety of its privileges from FIFA and AFC.

So, a kick where it hurts most. It is evident that from the foregoing narrative, that the MoS has acted poorly, imposing its authority, without consideration to the agreements made with FIFA and AFC. On the flip side, it would appear that FIFA and AFC have also disregarded the poor performance of the FFSL ExCo led by Jaswar Umar, particularly the gross financial mismanagement and its unwillingness to engage in a forensic examination of these allegations. The MoS also appears ignorant of international obligations, while basking in the arrogance of what it regards are national predispositions that are beyond question. It imagines that one cannot question these legal frameworks.

There is little doubt that the mandarins of MoS have not engaged beneficially with FIFA in the interest of FFSL. Sadly, neither has FIFA demonstrated the latitude that is so important to expose the flaws in our local game plan and bring in the referees who could control the passages of play over these last few years of delinquent gamesmanship. We must realise that we have a poor recent history with a lifetime ban of one of Sri Lanka’s most colourful football personalities, while FIFA has had its fair share of scandalous leadership charades.

How would we dribble our way beyond this paradigm? Having observed at close quarters, the dismal standard of the sport submerged in a world ranking at 209, there is no more shame left, than to get our act together. A knowledgeable team must be assembled to sit down with FIFA and put together a joint plan of action. The thought here is of a ‘Normalisation Committee’ comprising of FIFA, AFC, FFSL and MoS delegates, tasked with the challenge of restructuring FFSL once and for all. Whichever team that goes to the polls, will not make a difference; the delinquency will remain. The need of the hour is a grass root transformation. Anything less will simply not be good enough.