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The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has sanctioned the Cayman Islands Football Association (CIFA) and its President, Alfredo Whittaker, for breaches of articles 16 (Order and security at matches) 12 (Misconduct of players and officials) and 11 (Offensive behaviour and violations of the principles of fair play) of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (2019 edition). The latter breach is in regard to failing to respect the provisions of FIFA’s Return to Football – International Match Protocol, read in conjunction with the Regulations for the FIFA World Cup 2022™ Preliminary Competition, including the COVID-19 Regulations.
The decision relates to the 2022 FIFA World Cup preliminary-competition match between the Cayman Islands and Canada held in Bradenton (USA) on March 29, 2021. The CIFA has been found guilty of neglecting to provide the required safeguards for the health and safety of all involved in the fixture, and of having failed to comply with and implement the safety precautions demanded by FIFA.
In particular, the match, which was originally scheduled to take place on March 28, 2021, had to be postponed by a day because Mr Whittaker – who was also the CIFA team manager – did not present the PCR test results of the Cayman Islands national-team players and team officials as per the standard protocol.
Furthermore, Mr Whittaker, by way of his conduct, has been found guilty of misconduct and inappropriate behaviour towards a match official, in addition to having demonstrated disregard for the establishment of the safety of the players, officers and referees involved in the match in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a consequence, the CIFA has been sanctioned with a fine in the amount of CHF 50,000 and Mr Whittaker has been banned from exercising any official activity in connection with the national-team competition matches of the CIFA for six months.
In its decision, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee took into account the concerted efforts made by FIFA’s member associations, the confederations and other stakeholders to secure the successful resumption of football in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
