The petition called for an urgent investigation into the GFF alleged “gross financial mismanagement”, abandoned projects and “failure to account for millions of dollars” received from international football bodies. The petition was delivered to Mr Jawla following a peaceful protest.
The petition highlighted deep-rooted concerns about the management of football in The Gambia.
GALA demanded a full probe into the GFF handling of funds meant for football development in The Gambia.
According to GALA, between 2014 and 2024 the GFF received over $11 million from FIFA and CAF to support football infrastructural development, administration and grassroots development across the country. Many of the projects linked to the funds remain incomplete, substandard and completely abandoned.
The petition singled out unfinished stadium works in Jarra Soma, Gunjur, Bakau, Banjul, Serrekunda West, Serrekunda East, Manjai, Brikama and Busumbala.
Jarra Soma and Busumbala projects have shown no visible progress for years. Banjul and Bakau floodlights systems are non-functional, artificial turf is deemed unplayable. Essential facilities such as dressing rooms and pavilions were never completed.
GALA accused the GFF of misreporting progress to FIFA, despite claims of completing 14 football pitches nationwide, field inspections revealed otherwise.
Several installations were substandard and work was undertaken by local communities, not the GFF, and that involves the Bakau Mini-Stadium.
The Bakau Diaspora community took it upon themselves to upgrade the pitch after the GFF failed to complete the project.
GALA claimed that GFF’s first vice president Bakary K. Jammeh, who serves as a project manager for the projects, raised serious conflict of interest.
Contractors responsible for the projects failed as the contracts are also incomplete; works where the GFF are not held accountable with suspicions of kickbacks and lack of oversight clouding the project management process.
The petition outlined multiple financial discrepancies, including the alleged diversion of annual FIFA club support funds, which leave league winners unpaid and rural clubs struggling.
First and Second Division clubs both male and female did not received their annually subvention.
First Division League clubs received two hundred thousand dalasis, while Second Division League received one hundred and fifty thousand dalasis.
Regional Football Associations are entitled to one million dalasis and allied associations such as coaches, referees and schools’ football and players’ associations received stipulated amounts.
Most of the stakeholders faced challenges in receiving their funds from the GFF each year.
FIFA COVID-19 relief funds, amounting to $1.5 million, were misused with little impact felt by the clubs they were intended to help.
Similarly, $500,000 was allocated for women’s football in 2020 but the money allegedly disappeared without yielding any visible improvements.
The GFF continues to face criticism for neglecting female football development.
The referees’ association, which receives an annual $50,000 grant from FIFA, is another body mentioned as being chronically underfunded, with referees often not paid on time.
The petition stated that deductions for the referees’ welfare fund yield no visible benefits, eroding trust among officials.
GALA also highlighted the weakness of the Players Association since the 2022 GFF elections, claiming political retribution has left it marginalised.
The Coaches Association remained divided and unable to produce CAF A-licensed coaches to advancing club football standards.
The Schools Football Association is yet to organise competitions since 2021, which resulted in the collapse of youth football in the country.
The GFF insisted that it is accountable to its stakeholders. GALA argued that the GFF must answer to the Gambian public, especially communities.
They noted that FIFA disbursed funds based on partnership and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the GFF and custodians of local fields. The contents of these MOUs are often kept from public scrutiny.
GALA’s petition concludes by calling for an urgent two-month investigation into the GFF, citing “gross mismanagement of funds meant for the development of football and the benefit of the Gambian people”. They demand transparency, accountability, and reform within the federation, warning that continued misuse of public funds undercuts the nation’s sporting potential and undermines trust in its institutions.
