Gonsalves: FA’s Jamaica investigation still active

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The investigation into a situation which led to the arrest and subsequent charging of two football officials in Jamaica earlier this year is nearing completion.
This is according to President of the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association (ABFA), Everton “Batow” Gonsalves, who sought to assure the public that the matter is ongoing.
Gonsalves said that two interviews are left to complete the investigation and “there may be issues in terms of one but … that as it may, if there are still issues with the interviewees then we will be advised as to whether we close without that one and get ready to prepare and present the report.”
He, however, expressed the hope “that the two last interviewees can make themselves available so that we could get those interviews out and then we can get ready to prepare the report for submission.”
Assistant coach Derrick Edwards, 49, and equipment coordinator Danny Benjamin, 48, of the senior national football team, were freed of charges of possession of ganja, dealing in ganja, taking steps to export ganja and conspiracy in June after they were arrested and eventually charged in March at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, Jamaica.
Benjamin, earlier this month, was barred from boarding a flight to Miami with the senior national team after learning that his U.S. visa had been revoked. Although there was no official word as to why the visa was revoked, speculations are that it may be linked to the Jamaica incident.
Gonsalves said the ABFA is working with Benjamin and others with the hope of having the issue resolved.
“We’re working with the gentlemen but as you know, that is a private and personal matter when it comes to that and we’re working with them. We have also been assured that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and so we are working together with our colleagues and the minister [E.P. Chet Greene] to find out what’s the reason and then we could address the matter having had the information,” he said.
The Antigua and Barbuda Benna Boys are scheduled to travel to Martinique on November 19 in the CONCACAF Nations League as they continue their bid to qualify for the Gold Cup.

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