Earlier this week, we told you about the shakeups in the FFB District Associations, where two chairman were given the boot - one by his executive in Toledo, the other, in Corozal, by the FFB headquarters in Belmopan. Today, the Federation put out a press release saying, quote, "due to alleged illegal activities by the Corozal Football Association's Chairman, Mr. Frank Sutherland was suspended until further notice."
And what are those alleged illegal activities? Well, it seems that Mr. Sutherland was running a rent racket - or at least that's what the evidence points to.
The FFB's letter to Sutherland on April 6th accuses him of the issuance of a fraudulent receipt and the misuse of Federation Moneys. The letter notes that he was given money directly to pay monthly rent for an office space for the Corozal Football Association. The FFB says Sutherland submitted cash vouchers and receipts showing that the rent was being paid to the landlord for the months of May, June and July. These documents carried what was presented as the landlord, or his wife's signature.
But, the landlord eventually called directly tot he FFB requesting $900 dollars rent payment for the very same months which Sutherland said had already been paid. The landlord told the FFB that neither he nor his wife had received any money from Sutherland. When the FFB confronted Sutherland, he admitted that indeed, he hadn't paid the landlord.
So, the FFB concludes that he received funds from the FFB, did not use them for the purposes specified, and then submitted forged receipts and vouchers. The money was not repaid, so the FFB suspended him with immediate effect.
The FFB release issued today notes, quote, "A suspended member loses its membership rights. Other members may not entertain sporting contact with a suspended member."
Email
Print