A proposal to end soccer's ban on court action to resolve disputes has been withdrawn from the agenda of Saturday's annual general meeting of the Alberta Soccer Association.
Faced with the hugely real possibility of suspension, the Edmonton Inderdistrict Youth Soccer Association has withdrawn its request for a bylaw change. This backs the ASA and CSA away from the brink of FIFA sanctions -- but does nothing to resolve the many controversies arising from -- and contributing to -- the Alberta soccer mess.
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"EIYSA looks forward to working with the ASA to reform how disputes are adjudicated," EIYSA chief operating officer Barry White wrote. "The current system has failed to provide an effective mechanism for adjudicating disputes at both the ASA level and the CSA level. If there is a truly fair, independent and impartial dispute resolution mechanism, the need to seek recourse to the courts is reduced."
A letter from FIFA, published here yesterday, threatened the CSA with suspension and possible "expulsion" should Alberta be allowed to make the amendment.
Withdrawing the motion removes the threat of an Alberta suspension, which could have adversely affected FC Edmonton, potentially sidelining the team at the start of its inaugural season in the tier-two NASL.
Still unresolved are the multiple legislative issues arising from last year's lengthy dispute over who, in fact, runs the ASA. Sitting president Chris Billings was ousted by his first vice-president, Mario Charpentier, who was ultimately shown the door as a court-ordered ASA special general meeting in January.
And speaking of Charpentier, Canadian Soccer News has learned his attempt to appeal his dismissal to the CSA Appeals Committee will not be heard. The committee apparently feels it lacks jurisdition to hear the appeal.
Onward!