I DON’T LIKE the tone surrounding the pending forensic audit of the Barbados Football Association’s (BFA) finances by FIFA, the sport’s governing body.
It will be unprecedented for Barbados. It doesn’t speak well for those overseeing the running of the sport here that there might be some grey areas to clear up.
In short, our governance has come into question in a way that could prove to be embarrassing for the association and probably some individuals, depending on what the audit unfolds.
FIFA is an organization that has had its own internal struggles with various alleged breaches that could compromise the smooth running of its global brand, so you might want to ask if it has any moral authority to embark on any crusade to scrutinize the affairs of its affiliates.
In a typical characterization, parents often try to chastise their children for flaws they too possess and basically that approach only serves to highlight the double standards we live by.
For instance, it is an open secret about the so-called cash-for-votes saga during the bidding for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups respectively. We are well aware of the fallout and whose reputations were bruised in the melee.
Even before that, the parent body faced allegations about corruption at various levels and each time there was a pledge to put its house in order and clean up its image, if only expediently, for the sake of keeping the sponsors happy.
FIFA earns billions of dollars annually through sponsorship and the allocation of television rights for its competitions.
One good thing about all of this, is that FIFA shares its windfall with its member organizations.
Most developing nations are guaranteed $250 000 every year to help with developmental programmes and generally to assist in the day-to-day operations of the associations.
Under normal circumstances, the world governing body wouldn’t request accountability for such a routine function because you would expect a member to use the funds for the specified reasons.
However, in the event of what appears to be extraordinary circumstances, FIFA tends to act and act decisively. Therefore, the pending forensic audit of the books of the BFA and other associations is nothing new.
What could have sounded alarm bells to make FIFA see the need to examine the financial operations of the BFA?
Were there any vivid indicators?
It is known that the Goal Project at Wildey took almost a decade to take any real shape even if we concede that there was a fairly lengthy battle with Town and Country Planning, in respect of what could or couldn’t be allowed after persistent complaints from residents living close to the facility.
I think, though, that FIFA would be least concerned about such parochial matters as opposed to the substantial amount it would have given the BFA to kick-start the project. I think this particular paper trail would attract stern observation.
Randy Harris has expressed open concern about the state of the association’s finances since he became president more than a year ago. He spent lots of time focusing on this aspect during his address at the last annual general meeting.
It was the first time anyone holding that office had ever used that forum to pinpoint specific cases of doubt of how money from their kitty was spent.
If something so grave could come from the horse’s mouth in public, it would draw attention.
That situation would have been compounded if there’s any truth to the rumour that Harris referred certain matters to the Fraud Squad.
Not only that, it is a fact that FIFA had advanced the BFA funds from its 2013 allocation to help offset costs from the 2012 season.
Subsequently, last year had the kind of deficit which compromised the association’s ability to pay prize money for 2012.
Some teams even threatened to boycott the start of the season or to take whatever action they deemed necessary to be paid outstanding sums.
Delicate negotiations brought an amicable solution to that particular issue. However, it didn’t mean that it escaped attention beyond our boundaries.
There may be other issues that have triggered the FIFA audit which might vindicate some and condemn others.
Those above board should have nothing to fear.
• Andi Thornhill is an experienced, award-winning freelance sports journalist.