Vasco Allowed To Enter First Division Team
[Written by Don Burgess]
Vasco da Gama will be allowed to enter a team into the Bermuda Football Association’s First Division next year.
There was after a “robust discussion” over an alleged history of poaching players during its run of championships in the 1980s and 1990s.
In that time span, Vasco won 13 trophies, including five FA Cups and three league titles.
The Bermuda Football Association’s Semi-Annual Meeting the biggest point of contention was on whether or not to let Vasco back into the BFA, but they were voted a provisional two-year membership.
Some of the discussion centered on how Vasco would acquire its players to fill out its team. David Sabir, the BFA general secretary, said if the club is accepted as a provisional member for two years “we are watching on how they conduct themselves.” Mr Sabir said the club understood what the past represented to some associates.
“That is the past,” Mr Sabir said. “What we’re doing going forward is encouraging them not to revisit what was the assumption… of enticing people to come to play for them through means.”
Mr. Sabir said there is nothing in the BFA laws that would prohibit a club from using financial or other means to entice a player to kit up for them.
He added that Vasco would have two years to prove that they are operating like the rest of the clubs and not trying to lure players away through some sort of means, financial or otherwise.
BFA President Mark Wade said it was a “robust discussion, but I’m happy that we are embracing all facets of our community. We can turn back the clock a little bit and have Vasco participate in our leagues.”
The team will play its home games at Bernard Park and be coached by Brian Dickinson.
Also, the Bermuda Football Coaches Association also became a full member of the BFA.
‘Mr. Sabir said there is nothing in the BFA laws that would prohibit a club from using financial or other means to entice a player to kit up for them.
He added that Vasco would have two years to prove that they are operating like the rest of the clubs and not trying to lure players away through some sort of means, financial or otherwise.
If there is nothing in BFA laws that prohibit the activity then why would they have to prove anything? All the clubs try to enhance their squads by enticing players to play for them so this remark from the BFA is a nonsense.
Come on let’s not play games and act like we don’t know why they can’t get paid.. this country is truly disgusting at its core
OBA have a football team.
Agreed!!
Also, the point made about VASCO by Vasco: NEVER/ NOT being involved in luring or enticing players from other clubs with money is nonsense too.
B.F.A. says that they will closely monitor Vasco over the next 2 years…..garbage!!!
They did it when they were last playing.
Portuguese Bermudians will always be discriminated against, we must rise up.
Let me ask this: what is wrong with paying players? They put time in like everyone else. They are driven by financial incentives like everyone else. Would some extra cash make the difference between choosing a part time hustle over football training? Could the extra cash be used to but football boots, physio, massage, etc.? I think so.
If some of the other clubs has more diverse commercial models (more than just a club bar) perhaps they too could offer financial incentive?
I have to laugh at Mr. Sabir’s comments. They are truly contradictory. To my knowledge the BFA constitution has changed very little from when Vasco last played in the BFA. Yes, they incentived players to play for them. That wasn’t against the rules then or now. Why would you watch them closely? Other teams have incentivzed players to come on over so it has not just been Vasco. Yes, Vasco took it to another level. Was that against the rules? No. What other clubs should do is look at how they can encourage players to remain at their club and get their financing in order. The BFA has been and remains a joke when it comes to standards and accountability. It’s no different than someone going 15mph and one comments, “slow down you are going too fast.” Then the BPS says they will monitor closely the speed of that individual. Hold on, what is the legal speed limit again?
Stop speeding BFA!
So they aren’t allowed to pay players so why do we have to pay to watch the games…where does all the money go from gate sales an liquor sales the clubs make….all the footballers need to strike because it’s really ridiculous they don’t get paid for playing first division football…the lowest divisions in England still pay there players so why none of ours are allowed
Why can’t players be paid? If people want to the boys, let then pay the boys! It’s not like we are talking about college sports here! What’s the bog deal? Can someone please explain?