Evans quits as StJFA boss

Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:

Stung by the embarrassment caused by an unauthorised email sent to the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) and the circumstances surrounding the recent use and damage to the UDC playing field in Montego Bay, businessman George Evans has tendered his resignation as president of the St James Football Association (StJFA) with immediate effect.

In his letter to the StJFA's general secretary Bruce Gaynor, which was dated August 10, 2010, a contrite Evans, who is away in England at this time, said he felt compromised by the contentious issues and felt the decent thing to do was to resign.

"It is with sincere regret that, after much soul-searching and deliberations, I have made the decision to immediately resign as the president of the St James Football Association," Evans stated in his letter of resignation. He said recent events had made it very difficult for him to remain.

"With regret, the manner in which we have handled ourselves has leftmuch to be desired ... . It has made the board a laughing stock," added Evans. "As the president, and one who believes in accountability and repercussions for actions, I am, therefore, willing to accept full responsibility and make the honourable decision, that is, to step down."

The board drew the wrath of the general public when, in an email to the media and the JFF, outlining the five-year ban and $25,000 fine that was slapped on national goalkeeper coach Warren Barrett for a fist-fight with a referee, it recommended that Barrett retain his position in the national set-up. The recommendation was accepted by the JFF.

"The board gave no directive for the sending of that email and we have the minutes to prove it," Evans told The Sunday Gleaner at the weekend. "I was very surprised when I heard about it and I feel badly compromised by the whole thing."

The email incident came in the immediate aftermath of another incident in which board members disregarded the directive of Evans and the board and used the UDC playing field as an official car park during the rain-drenched staging of Reggae Sumfest 2010, resulting in significant damage.

When contacted yesterday about Evans' resignation, Gaynor said he had received the resignation letter but he would be urging his fellow board members not to accept it.

"As soon as I am able to locate the acting president, David Watt, I will be recommending that we have an emergency meeting to discuss this issue," said Gaynor. "I will be recommending that we don't accept the resignation."

Resignation

Evans' resignation has seemingly plunged the board into further crisis as several board members said they would be asking Evans to reconsider. they indicated that they would also be seeking the resignation of Gaynor, under whose signature the contentious email was sent, as well as that of Lilli-Mae Crawford - the FA's competition coordinator - who leased the UDC playing field during Reggae Sumfest.

"I know the buck stops with the president, but I will be putting a motion on the table asking George (Evans) to reconsider his resignation," an angry board member told The Gleaner yesterday. "I will also be calling for the resignation of Bruce Gaynor and Lilli-Mae Crawford."