Paul-Andre Walker, Staff Reporter

Gibson

The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) is embroiled in a debate about the legality of calling an early election as was proposed by its board of directors on Sunday night.

At a JFF board meeting held on Sunday, the South Central Confederation (SCC) proposed to the JFF board of directors that an early congress be held.

According to the JFF by-laws congress is due to take place in 2007 but the proposed date of November of that year was brought into question by the SCC, who pushed the motion for an earlier sitting.

The motion itself was almost split down the middle with those voting for a January election winning by one vote. Nine directors voted for, while eight voted against, with one abstaining from the process.

The closeness of the votes brought into question the legality of the motion, with JFF general secretary, Burchell Gibson voicing the comment that there needed to be a three-quarters majority for the motion to be passed.

However, SCC Chairman Dale Spencer points to JFF article 57 as his claim for the proposal's legality.

"The Directors may meet together for the despatch of business, adjourn and otherwise regulate their meetings as they think fit. Questions arising at any meeting shall be decided by a majority of votes. In the case of an equality of votes the chairman shall have a second casting vote. A director may and the secretary on the requisition of the director shall, at any time summon a meeting of the directors," the article reads.

Threshold

Spencer also went on to refute the claims of Gibson, saying:

"The general secretary (of the JFF Burchell Gibson) is saying that the threshold for the motion is three-quarters and that is not the interpretation of the board because he is citing an article that has to do with changing the by-laws and that is not what we have done," said Spencer.

"I expect that he will be seeking legal clarification on the matter whether it be legal advice or at a higher body and within 14 days he will do that. I expect that after those 14 days the congress will be scheduled," Spencer added.

However, Gibson indicated that he is not seeking any such recourse because the JFF by-laws are clear.

"The article that Mr. Spencer refers to speaks to the proceedings of directors. What they (the board of directors) are trying to do is amend article 26 of the articles of association and by-laws," said Gibson, before quoting the article to The Gleaner.

"The officers of the company shall consist of a president, three vice-presidents, four confederation chairmen, the general secretary, a treasurer, and one executive officer. The president, the three vice-presidents, the treasurer and the executive officer shall be elected from the members every four years at the company's special general meeting and shall be eligible for re-election," read Gibson.

Gibson went on to take a direct snipe at Spencer, saying that his methods are undermining the JFF's progress.

Legal advice

"The only legal advice I will seek is what can be done about people like Mr. Spencer that try to put the sport into disrepute," said Gibson, responding to the 14-day period Spencer had given for Gibson to seek clarification.

In addition to Gibson's claims come article 68 which speaks to the amendment or alteration of articles.

"No addition, alteration or amendment to these articles shall be made unless the same shall be proposed at a duly constituted meeting of the Company, at which meeting a quorum of one half of the members entitled to attend and vote is present and the resolution proposing such addition, alteration or amendment is carried by a vote of at least three-quarters of the members present."