General secretary resigns from CIFA
Paul Macey
(CNS): Paul Macey has resigned from the Cayman Islands Football Association just days after he and most of the other members of its executive committee were re-instated during the annual general meeting on Saturday. The news comes against the backdrop of a possible local corruption probe into the local football body after its annual audit was stopped as a result of suspicions and unsubstantiated transactions last week.
The revelation that auditors had reported their concerns to the Anti-Corruption Commission came after several weeks of criticism and controversy surrounding the CIFA executive and its decision to reject two challengers for positions on the committee. This in turn led to the sports minister announcing that the annual grant from government to the association was being withdrawn until CIFA became more transparent and responded to the call for change.
Macey, who held the post of general secretary, was the one who had accepted the nominations of Renard Moxam and Sharon Roulstone last month, challenging two positions on the executive ahead of the deadline. He had given the indication that the nominations were in order. However, a week after the deadline had past the executive committee told Moxam, who was nominaed for the post of first VP, held by Bruce Blake, and Roulstone, who wanted to run for the assistant general secretary post, currently held by Mark Campbell, that their nominations were invalid and the deadline had passed to rectify them.
Seen by many as a trumped-up technicality to ensure the current executive remained in place, the decision by CIFA to dig in and not allow the challengers to face a vote caused a significant public outcry.
With the news of the corruption probe ahead of the AGM and the lack of audited accounts to present at the meeting, as well as the controversies over the elections, CIFA had reportedly been advised to postpone the AGM. However, the meeting went ahead, even though no formal accounts were presented.
Armando Ebanks was rubber stamped into the role of treasurer of the organization after Canover Watson was forced to step down as a result of criminal charges laid against him in a local hospital corruption case unrelated to CIFA. The rest of the executive was reinstated and officials announced that there would be an executive committee meeting Monday to discuss the audit and that the association would cooperate and supply whatever missing information was needed to complete it.
Blake was appointed as first vice president for another four years but he also remains as acting president following the charges against the suspended CIFA and CONCACAF president, Jeffrey Webb, who was arrested in Switzerland in May as part of the massive corruption probe into FIFA by the US Department of Justice. He remains under house arrest in New York.
More may be revealed later this month about both the US FIFA probe and that of the related enquiry into the awarding of the last two World Cups by the Swiss authorities as law enforcement agents from both countries have scheduled a joint press release in two week’s time.
Category: Community, Local News
Paul is a man or character and has made the right move in my opinion. The problem is that the other members all want to be the next Jeff so they wont resign and do what is right. None of this is about Cayman football anymore to those on the Executive committee, its all about power and money. If this was about Cayman football we would should have been the leaders of the sport in the Caribbean with all of the support that we have received over the years but all we have to show for it is a marl pith which is only fit to catch water in the recent rains.
Who says white men can’t jump????
Just heard that Bruce Blake resigned from Maples on Friday
If that is true, he resigned from the wrong job. Maples has a future.
You are assuming he had a choice.
Am I the only one picturing the scene in which Darth Vader uses the Force to pin someone against the wall?
I would assume that from the time Jeff was arrested he would have been given the choice of associating himself with FIFA or Maples. Since he didn’t make a choice then, someone else made it for him now.
CIFA ship is over loaded and is taking on some serious water and it has 3 torpedoes running in the water on target and about to hit it midship and aft Abandon ship abandon ship!!!
He should be prepared to say why he resigned then. Was it that he fell out with the Executive over their recent behaviour, or is he sick of the whole stinking mess of CIFA, or just getting out while the going was still (reasonably) good, or what? All of the above?
The quotes attributed to Paul in the other paper are quite to the point. He is not a lawyer, nor an accountant and I suspect it is quite possible he was given a load of baloney to believe before realizing what was going on and making his exit. If he has suspicions, he should raise a SAR at once.
Paul Macey was never one of Jeff’s ‘chosen few’. He was safely tucked up in bed in Cayman while Jeff was being arrested, not hiding under his bed in Zurich like the others.
I believe he is the only one on the current exec that actually coaches football in his spare time. The others don’t even own a pair of football boots.
Shame that someone in football for the right reasons is the one that steps down, while the ones in it for all the wrong reasons hang on for dear life.
I don’t know this person but in general, I am struggling to believe that anyone who has been a part of something for years is suddenly growing a conscience and is resigning due to ethical reasons. Most likely the resignation is for a self serving purpose with a hope not to get deeper tangled up in a mess he very much knows exists.
Does it strike anyone else as odd that the auditors are suddenly showing “concern” over some transactions, but that this concern only popped up after all the recent public attention? I will go out on a limb here and say that those “suspicious” transaction didn’t just incur during the last audit period. So how come no concern has been raised in the past? XXXXX
My thoughts exactly, what about prior years’ audits? However, if you look into it, CIFA has changed auditors numerous times over the past few years; RK for 2011 & 2012, KPMG for 2013 and RB Rankine for 2014 (not sure if they were also appointed for 2015 year end). I see a few red flags, as an auditor myself it doesn’t bode well for one changing auditors so frequently and secondly, were there things discovered by previous auditors, hence the turnover????? Doesn’t look good CIFA.
The accounts for 2013 with 2012 comparatives and the 2014 were audited by Rankine Berkdower and indeed do have some unusual facets in them.
In normal circumstances a frequent audit rotation is a red flag. However where the audit is pro bono or the fee is well below market the auditor rotation is not unusual. Many years the association was audited pro bono and several firms donated their time. This is often the case for sporting associations and charitable causes.
This info was taken from FIFA-website – Cayman link – I suspect there needs to be some updating on their website to reflect the above;
http://www.fifa.com/development/facts-and-figures/association=cay/financial-assistance-programme.html
How long has that firm/ company been carrying out the audits?
It’s like one of those cartoon, multiple cat and dog fight with all kinds of participants involved and you can’t see what’s happening because of all the smoke. All of a sudden, tweety bird emerges (sneaks out) out of the fight and says “I’m gettin’ de heelll out of heyre!” . that’s Paul in this scenario. Good ting he got out before the hull of the ship goes under
Is it possible that this happened?
Mr. Macey believed that the nominations were in accordance with the by laws and sent the notice to the two new candidates without any of the other board members being involved. He acted alone in his capacity as GS.
Then, when other board members found out that there were two new qualified candidates, said board members consulted with their attorney to devise an objection to the new candidates. Their attorney then gave them an opinion that the nominations were invalid.
All of the board members would then have been in agreement that the nominations were invalid, based upon their attorney’s opinion, and voted in that manner.
Mr. Macey then decides that he does not want to be a part of a “Closed” group that would take such steps.
Just a thought.
Sorry but it’s the Constitution that provides the nomination caveat. Moxam and what’s her name should have checked that and Macey erred in not checking the construction before making his now ill fated all is well statement. So there you go. By the way this is nit Brucellosis or any other exec member. It’s just me seeking the truth.
When we see someone charged with The offense of Tipping Off for disclosing that a SAR was filed?
He is member of the institute of chartered insurers in England. If he was a chartered accountant it would be well worth informing the institute so they could monitor the proceedings and depending on the outcome possibly be struck off.
Bruce is only a certified public accountant but he can still be struck off the AICPA.
It may be well to inform them of what is going on in CIFA so they make their own decisions.
http://www.aicpa.org/Research/Standards/CodeofConduct/DownloadableDocuments/2014December15ContentAsof2015April23CodeofConduct.pdf
.
Let he who is without sin, cast the first stone… just saying
Oh Dear , this was the GS of an organization that according to the newly re-elected VP, although without allowing anyone to run against him, does not need CI$128K yearly assistance and as I understand the GS suggested they should not set a precedent to subsidized the Senior National Men’s team with $100.00 to purchased proper play equipment for a WC qualifying game because they will have to do the same for all the other national teams, what are the funds for?
Full stops are good. You should use them.
Really 7.01. I can’t use a question mark any more. Why not. (using full stop as instructed)
Thank you for your observation. Will try my best nest time.
Money is to pay the Director of National Teams.
Willful blindness is also a crime. What i still don’t understand is why the powers to be are still allowing this club to operate under the same executive board considering the alleged Fifa scandal, corruption, potential for money laundering and now discrepancies with the audit? Someone please explain.
Because its a private association perhaps? They could of course refuse to to acknowledge it as the the official representative of Cayman football, but they ave no grounds for interfering in the conduct of a private association. Its the clubs that have that authority, and they don’t seem to care.
the old card of the clubs are just as bad as the CIFA exec. all in it together. except the clubs are not smart enough to realise that they are being used.
Oh really? So in that case why did the FBI interfere in the private association of FIFA?
This one will end up in the bush. Wink, wink.
Me Thinks Mark Scotland should resign also !!!!!!!!
5:45pm you are so right. Mark has done nothing to advance the state of youth football. Which is the bottom of the pyramid in any country football development. Furthermore why are everybody frying Bruce in Jeff and Canover oil, can we not see the web that was spun only consisted of only two spiders. You all think you know Jeff but that man had the majority of people he associated with fooled. He was so good that it took the only super power country in the world to take him down. Just think about that!And furthermore many of you would have worked under Jeff dictatorship style of leadership,kept your mouth shut just like BRUCE and enjoy the few props that came with the position, but was never allowed into Webb inner scheme of things. Ask Horace if he got anything out of the deal with Traffic Sports. Was BRUCE
CLOSER to Jeff than him. Also did anybody see him contribute to Jeff 10 million dollar bail. Three the hard way. JEFF, COSTAS, CANOVER.
Smart but gutless decision, after allowing the rest of the “executive” to manipulate him into giving Renard and Sharron a sense of security with their nomination application by telling them that everything seem to be in order and them at the last minute advising them the application was not complete and now this? Like everything else in CIFA disgraceful.
However, we have to understand he has a professional and personal life to live, who wants to be associated with CIFA now? More to follow?
Why is it gutless? Maybe he’s been trying to do the right thing, but one person against a group who are renowned for doing their own thing their own way means he is constantly swimming up stream. So perhaps he’s finally had enough and taken a principalled stance. Late maybe, but better late than never. Paul Macey is a straight up person so I err firmly on the side of him finally taking a stance that enough is enough, so far dues to him.
CIFA is a joke and has been for a very long time – anybody who has been involved in local football for any length of time and can be objective about it would surely agree.
Unless he was forced against his will, which I doubt, the right action would have been not to be a part of the farce of the AGM last Saturday.
Surely anything and anyone involved with Watson and Webb must be treated an unfit in the present environment.
Finally, one of them has a grain of sense.
I know Paul Macey..he is an honest man. He did a “Blatter”…stood; got re-elected and then said..”let me get off this smelly ship before it tarnishes my professional name”…
Good for him. Way to go Paul!
Wow don’t beliebe that he is guilty, but, how can he explain the actions of his fellow executives in regards to the recent election and even more important their collsctive executive responsibility for the awarding of contracts the spending of funds etc. ya putting ha head too low on that chopping block ole boy.
Pretty sure 9:04 is trying to quote Hamlet with his/her name: “To be, or not to be, that is the question.” Perhaps?
Moving on, Macey made the smart decision; get out now before it gets worse.
Cass How Shakespeare get into this. If I wanted to use a quote I would have done so. So Cass keep ya rassery from my comment. ?
I know Paul also and he has done a lot for kids football with after school training. I hope he will continue. Well done Paul.
I believe Paul is honest too but there seems to be a contradiction in your post, George. I am sure everyone else can see it.
applauding someone for “doing a Blatter” – sheees
Kinda late jump isn’t it? The man who knows maybe already guilty yes by association or well one never knows what goes on or went on in CIFA all of these years. This GS one would expect will make some kind of statement for silence means consent, resignation casts a long shadow.
I’m sure he enjoyed the benefits like trips to world cups etc, like anyone else would take in his position, but don’t think Paul would get involved in any illegal practices. Good decision getting out.
Paul paid for his World Cup trip, hotel and all. Ask Scotland and some of the other cronies in the “group” if they paid for theirs…think not.. CIFA covered theirs you would find for sure if you check.
Glad to hear it Anon 11-24am. His conscience should be clear. I know he works hard with the Sunday football program for the kids, and again I repeat, I don’t think he would do anything he thought illegal.
This info is false you stated darling! Ha
Did he jump, or was he pushed?
Together with Blake, and Canover he was one of three qualified accountants on the Executive Committee. So presumably all three agreed and sent the accounts to the auditors to be audited. Surely that tells the members of CIFA something or was it an oversight of these three wise men, who appear at this stage not to be bearing gifts.
What about earlier years. Anyone thought of going back ten or twelve years . The audit firm who are paid $20,000 per annum, should also review past years and think of withdrawing previous audit opinions. Nothing like a piece of free advice.
Finally when this debacle is over may I suggest an independent law firm and an investigator be appointed by a new CIFA to recoup any losses that may have been incurred by CIFA though negligence and/ or fraud of the executive committee.
Banga-langa-langa-langa, dey in deep doo-doo!
I guess he will plead that if he makes a Statement it may come back to haunt him huh!. All of them need to be pulled off not just reign; investigate their accounts and other assets. They should not be afraid of that process if they are not guilty directly or indirectly.
I don’t believe Paul Macey is a qualified accountant. please check your facts
Paul Macey is not an accountant, his qualifications are in insurance.
Would have to be recovery from the Accountants too, if they have been giving a clean bill of health to what seems to be some rotten eggs in the kitchen.
Way to go Ace, get of that sinking ship.
At least one of them is showing some sense of integrity.
I wud cal it cumon cents frum da saykred wessell.
Too late