The Gambia Football Federation, GFF, has issued statement on the on going tax fraud allegations against it being investigated by the police. In the statement, GFF admitted that there was an oversight by them in not withholding the tax in question but there was no fraud as alleged by its detractors
The full details of the statement is produced below;
“The Gambia Football Federation GFF wishes to state for the benefit of its stakeholders and the general public that the GFF is fully cooperating with the ongoing investigations being carried out by the Gambia Police Force on the directive of the National Assembly Select Committee on Youth, Sports and Tourism. This however, has not in anyway affected the daily activities and programs of the federation.
Nonetheless, it is important that the matter be put to more clarity as it is being observed that a section of the community is using the current situation to distort the facts surrounding the matter.
It has been said and made clear on numerous occasions that GFF is an independent private Organization, neither a government organ nor a public entity, administering and managing Football activities in the country. As such, all its financial transactions are independently audited as authorized by the World Football governing body ( FIFA ) that keeps a constant monitoring of her programs and activities as the main provider of funds to the federation.
In fact, the 2017 FIFA Audit exercise was completed recently by an external Auditor dispatched to the Gambia by FIFA from Senegal. To our delight once again, the outcome of the audit exercise was a resounding success for the federation. Hence the recent approval by FIFA of a number of projects, programs and activities submitted by the federation.
The much talked about so called tax fraud as insinuated by the National Sports Council and the National Assembly Select Committee on Youth, Sports and Tourism is a misplaced priority hence the matter is considered by the GFF as a witch hunt. The fact is that the GFF is a non tax paying organization thus the allegation of tax fraud is misleading and malicious, orchestrated by a group of individuals who have tried all avenues to illegally remove the current GFF from office in the past year and failed. The allegation emanated from the fact that the GFF whilst effecting payments to a particular supplier oversighted the deduction of Withholding Tax, but has immediately informed the said supplier in writing to pay the particular amount of cash to the GRA which, according to the supplier has since paid.
Therefore, the notion of Tax Fraud is not only dishonest but calculated to tarnish the image of the federation and her leadership with a view to manipulating the forthcoming GFF elective congress slated for August 18, 2018, as the perpetrators are struggling to put up a credible candidate before the bonafide stakeholders to contest in the said elections.
The GFF leadership whilst reaffirming their trust and confidence in impartiality and professionalism of the Police are optimistic that they will be exonerated by the investigations and expose the smear campaign and witch-hunt against them.
Ahead of the Elective Congress in August, the Football leadership is given another clean bill of health with the endorsements by the Regional Football Associations (RFAs), Allied Associations and the majority of league clubs to seek for a second mandate. This proclamation is premised on the achievements registered so far and the number of developmental programs and plans lined for the coming years.
Finally, the GFF wishes to reassure the stakeholders and the general public that it will continue to stand resolute and resist all undue interferences, pressure and blackmail, and will continue to uphold her Constitution and the Statute of the world governing body, FIFA, whilst operating within the dictates of, and respecting all national laws as good and law-abiding citizens of our dear motherland.”
Long Live the GFF
Long Live the Beautiful Game
Long Live The Gambia.
