The Gambia Football Federation (GFF) has issued a stern warning to Briffu Football Club along with Kuteh Jombul FC, Tabading FC, and Nyomoto United, following their decision to take football-related disputes to the “ordinary courts”. 

The GFF says this action represents a “serious violation of the GFF Statutes and that of FIFA, the world’s football governing body.”

In a formal letter to the clubs, the Federation reminded the clubs that “the dispute between your Club and the Regional Football Association is an internal matter, and internal matters should be treated within the internal mechanisms in place rather than resorting to the courts.”

The GFF referred to Articles 65.1, 65.2, and 65.3 of its Constitution to support its position. Article 65.1 provides that: “The GFF, its Members, Players, Officials and match and player’s agents shall not take any dispute to the ordinary courts unless specifically provided for in these Statutes and FIFA regulations. Any disagreement may be submitted to the jurisdiction of GFF, FIFA, CAF, or WAFU.”

Additionally, Article 65.2 makes clear that “The GFF shall have jurisdiction on internal disputes, i.e. disputes between parties belonging to the GFF. FIFA shall have jurisdiction on international disputes, i.e. disputes between parties belonging to different Associations or Confederations.”

Article 65.3 warns that “A member of the GFF who or that violates this provision shall be suspended from the GFF pending the withdrawal of the matter before the courts. If the matter is not withdrawn from the court before judgment is delivered, the member shall be expelled from the GFF.”

The Federation also cited Article 68, paragraph 2 of the FIFA statutes, which states “Recourse to ordinary courts of law is prohibited unless specifically provided for in the FIFA regulations.”

Consequently, the GFF has directed all four clubs “to withdraw the matter before the ordinary courts with immediate effect to allow the Gambia Football Federation to negotiate between you with an attempt to reach an amicable solution to this impasse.”

The final warning is clear “Failure to do so as instructed, it will lead to your club being automatically suspended from the GFF and if the courts deliver judgment and you still failed to withdraw this matter, you will be expelled from the Federation in line with the abovementioned Statutes.”

However, our reporter engaged representatives from one of the affected teams, who appear undeterred by the GFF’s warning. He confirmed their intent to move forward with legal proceedings and are now preparing for the first hearing of the case scheduled for May 13th at the Basse High Court. 

By Ebrima KB Sonko