By Benson Petit-Clair
In a statement on its official website on Thursday, World’s football governing body FIFA announced that it had sanctioned the Antigua and Barbuda FA for breaching FIFA Goal regulations.
According to the release, the football association of Antigua and Barbuda was fined 30,000 Swiss Franc ($33,800) for breaching art. 5 par. 1 and par. 4 of the FIFA Goal Regulations.
« In accordance with art. 10 b) and art. 14 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the ABFA has also been issued with a reprimand, » said the statement on FIFA’s website.
« In March 2013, the FIFA Executive Committee approved the General Regulations for FIFA Development Programmes, which define the overall rules and principles applicable to all development programmes for member associations and confederations with the objective of enhancing their governance structure and compliance. »
The ABFA responded swiftly saying that the fund was needed to prepare for the World Cup Qualifications.
« This arrangement with the bank was for the sole purpose of the further development of football in Antigua and Barbuda via participation in the 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers which is mandatory for all members of FIFA, » ABFA president Everton Gonsalves said in a statement on the federation’s website.
Antigua and Barbuda have placed 146th in the February edition of the Fifa World Ranking. The ABFA is a member of the CONCACAF, and has been affiliated with FIFA since 1970.
