Can we have a litigation free season? (II)
Two weeks ago, this column discussed the issue of constant litigation at the end of practically every league season. Many well-meaning football lovers who read the article on the issue lauded the discussion. And what is clear is that nobody enjoys or welcomes litigations. If for nothing at all, these long litigations do not promote the game of football.
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It is sad to note that sometimes, the motive for dragging on cases and in some instances taking the disputes outside the jurisdiction and confines of the FA appears to be egoistic and selfishness. “I don’t care what happens to the league, once my team is not going to take part.”
Football is not only a game of entertainment and pleasure. It is a big business that affects the lives and livelihoods of many people. Anything that affects its progress and growth, therefore, touches a lot of interests. Indeed, that is the spirit of the game anytime two different teams meet on the field of play.
Every player or team k
Perhaps the members of the GFA should be reminded that they have in recent years unintentionally acquired a lot of enemies outside the association.
There are those who feel they are better qualified and endowed to be in high positions within the FA without necessarily going through the laid down procedures and regulations.
Such people, therefore, readily jump at difficulties facing the FA to pollute the airwaves with ready-made and uninformed comments and accusations.
In many instances, such comments ignore the real issues at stake and take to personal character assassinations and condemnations.
It should, therefore, be useful if the GFA, at least its Executive Committee, would re-examine some of its regulations and statutes and tighten them wherever it could be necessary.
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After my active days as a referee, I have by the Grace of God been associated with GFA affairs, albeit at very low levels.
At the risk of being maligned and condemned, my feeling is that there has been too much involvement of legalities in the running of GFA disputes.
I know I am treading on dangerous grounds, if not stepping on legal toes. The business of the GFA and, for that matter, football associations all over the world is football.
I am saying the GFA ‘is doing football’ and not law. Yes, the GFA is governed by laws and regulations, but it is not a court of law. We all, especially non-lawyers, know how lawyers brandish their law at the least opportunity. We should rely more on football technicalities more than law technicalities.
Even in our courts of law, many criminals have been set free because of legal technicalities.
There was a time I overhead this interaction from a sitting of one of the committees: “This is law, and I am a lawyer.” This drew a sharp retort from the other side: “I am an electrical engineer, and this is football, we are doing football.”
Both comments appeared unnecessary to the issue being discussed, but they sent strong sentiments and ill-feelings.
There are times we place too much importance on academic knowledge and heights. But as I heard from the Justice Dzamafe Committee that was set up after Brazil 2014, “too much technical knowledge without technical wisdom” is dangerous.
As we continue to organise our football, there will be disputes and disagreements. This is true of any human association. We should, therefore, develop mechanisms and strategies to confront them.
If and when we keep our ears to the ground, we should be able to foresee some of the likely issues and differences that could lead to long-drawn-out litigations and nip them in the bud. It should even be possible to prevent cases from going to the disciplinary committees.
In a conversation, I was told of a misunderstanding between one of our top clubs and one of the league boards. That issue could have led to a lot of embarrassment and criticism to the whole GFA. The GFA president was said to be outside the country on official duties. And when he heard of the problem, he immediately gave a call to the chief executive of the club. According to the chief executive who gave me the information, he did not allow the GFA president to even finish with his intervention but he gave in and assured him of his team’s continued participation in the tournament. That was great and trouble saving, as it quickly brought back sanity and unity.
The fact is we come from different types of upbringing and backgrounds. While some of us may boast of our stubbornness and unyielding and uncompromising stances, there are others born of ‘let go’ and ‘pleasing God’ spirit. Unfortunately, we find both types in one and the same association.
Until we all learn to live together and ensure that peace and unity override our individual egos and wishes, the litigation will continue. But may it not be so, God willing.
The problem in all these litigation cases is the delay that they cause at the start of our league seasons. As an association, it would be useful if there should be some form of agreement that despite any litigations outside the GFA, our league should proceed.
The football world outside Ghana is actively playing football and some leagues are almost halfway through their season. How do our representatives in Africa prepare well to meet their opponents? We should think of all these and cease the litigation.