By Charmaine Austin, Staff ReporterJAMAICA FOOTBALL Referees Association (JFRA) president Stephen Bell says he will not resign, despite an ultimatum issued by Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) president Captain Burrell for him and his executive to relinquish their positions within 24 hours.
"I will not go," Bell told The Gleaner yesterday afternoon shortly after he had faxed a press release.
"The constitution of the JFRA, an independent body, who is an associate member of the JFF, does not allow for the president of the JFF to demand my resignation. The members of the JFRA duly elected me and if I am to leave my post then it would have to be done through an extraordinary general meeting.
"This meeting would have to be requested by the membership where we would execute a no confidence vote on my presidency. If at that time this is passed then I would certainly step down as the president of the JFRA," Bell's release read.
He said contrary to reports that a call was made for his resignation and that of the other members of the JFRA committee at the April 12 meeting between the JFF and the JFRA membership, he (Bell) did not receive any such request.
"I categorically indicate that I have not received any such request from the members. Quite the contrary I have received NUMEROUS calls from the membership not to resign," Bell said.
Bell also refuted the argument that the JFRA acted improperly stating that "all decisions were taken by the membership present".
He added: "I also refute claims that we misled members as they were duly notified about all proposals made by the JFF.
"I strongly object to any implications made directly or indirectly regarding any impropriety in respect of the handling of the association's finances and invite an audit to support my position. I believe that comments made in the press recently have been inflammatory and unsubstantiated," said Bell.
