The case was heard by the Fiji FA Board of Control (BOC) last Saturday in Ba. Sareem failed to turn up to answer his charges and thus the board made the decision.
Bob Kumar, the Fiji Football Association Chief Executive Officer Bob Kumar said the BOC found Sareem guilty.
“The BOC at its meeting last Saturday 21/4/2012 noted with concern Sareem’s non attendance to answer various charges,” Kumar said.
“The BOC waited till about 4.30pm before discussing the charges and the board found Sareem guilty on all charges and has decided to suspend him from his position as President of Lami FA for 2 years effective from 24th November 2011.”
“Sareem is advised that during the period of suspension he is barred from taking part in any football related activities with any member association affiliated to Fiji FA. He is advised to return all Lami FA books of accounts, cheque books, receipt books, bank statements and all property belonging to Lami FA”
Below are the findings of the Fiji FA appointed Committee following an investigation:
The Findings are that
a. The Presidents leadership style as dictatorial. He wanted things to be done his way and everyone had to comply
b. The President submits that the Local League Committee and other officials were not carrying out their duties; therefore he had to do everything himself. The officials on the other hand stated that the President kept all the records in his office, effectively preventing them from doing their job.
c. The President controlled as many clubs as he could. He is Patron of three clubs. He disbanded the Sakoca Club and got his own people appointed.
d. The President supported “Wheels of Change” without the mandate of the management through a formal meeting. The President admitted consulting member’s individually after the meeting.
e. The President used his personal email for Lami Football Association correspondence despite LFA having the official email. The “Wheels of Change” logo was included in the emails
f. Minutes of the meeting were not circulated in the council meetings. Secretary stated that he forwarded the draft minutes to the President and changes were made without consulting him
“In doing so Sareem showed great mismanagement and held on to the authority of the President/Secretary /Treasurer and competition committee,” Kumar said.
Sareem was therefore charged as follows:
Count 1
Running the affairs of Lami FA in a dictatorial manner
Count 2
Depriving the local league committee from performing and keeping all records in his office, effectively preventing them from doing their job
Count 3
Unauthorized disbanding of Sakoca Club and appointing own people to administer the club
Count 4
Supporting “Wheels of Change” and their candidates without the mandate through a formal meeting and consulting members individually after the meeting
Count 5
Using his personal email for Lami FA correspondence with “Wheels of Change” logo despite LFA having its own official email
Count 6
Failing to circulate minutes in the Council meeting and making changes to the minutes written by the secretary without consulting him
Kumar said BOC decisions were not subject to appeal however the case could be redressed if Sareem went to arbitration within 14 days.
Fiji FA MEDIA
