Alberta Soccer Dispute Continues ON

[oc64]

I am not an advocate for either side. But what is clear is that the ASA has been dysfunctional since Gary Sampley left. The number of Executive Directors that have paraded through the door is an embarrassment, and helps to illustrate the level of undermining that takes place.

Not coincidentally, Mr. Charpentier's involvement roughly corresponds with this timeline of unrest.

However, one should concede that Mr. Billings is a relative neophyte when it comes to soccer in Alberta, and isn't what you would call a strong soccer man. Unless I am mistaken, he is a well-intentioned volunteer that has risen through the ranks from his district (Tri-County?) to where he finds himself in a fight with individuals that have between them over a hundred years in Alberta soccer. I am not sure that Billings is the best person to champion the cause of reform, but I guess he's all there is. Until now, no one else was willing to take on the fight.

It will be very, very interesting to see how quickly this comes to a head.

It may be true that Billings is new. I really don't know much about his volunteer history in soccer. I actually think that some new blood is exactly what Alberta Soccer needs most. They can hire qualified technical staff to forward the quality of soccer in Alberta

[kj52]

I am not an advocate for either side. But what is clear is that the ASA has been dysfunctional since Gary Sampley left. The number of Executive Directors that have paraded through the door is an embarrassment, and helps to illustrate the level of undermining that takes place.

Not coincidentally, Mr. Charpentier's involvement roughly corresponds with this timeline of unrest.

However, one should concede that Mr. Billings is a relative neophyte when it comes to soccer in Alberta, and isn't what you would call a strong soccer man. Unless I am mistaken, he is a well-intentioned volunteer that has risen through the ranks from his district (Tri-County?) to where he finds himself in a fight with individuals that have between them over a hundred years in Alberta soccer. I am not sure that Billings is the best person to champion the cause of reform, but I guess he's all there is. Until now, no one else was willing to take on the fight.

It will be very, very interesting to see how quickly this comes to a head.

If you look at the ASA presidents since Peter McKenzie you get 1. Mike Traficante 2. Brent Thorburn (briefly - part of a term) 3. Fred Kern 4. Chris Billings. Chris came up through the ranks and was young enough to not be contaminated by the seemingly omnipresent occupational hazard of "oldboy-itis". Also he's an intelligent guy and even before he left the Battle River Soccer Board, he realized that the system at ASA was in dire need of an overhaul. As everyone in Alberta that's been around for any length of time knows, ASA has essentially been run by two different organizations - Edmonton Minor and Calgary Minor. Neither organization has any interest in the rest of the province or anything outside of their own little islands. They both fear each other and although they have very little interest in what the ASA does, neither one wants anyone else to have any say. They've battled each other and have temporarily worked together (now and in the past) to fight off what they perceive as threats to their power base. No one coming from those organizations is likely to seriously favour reform and people in Edmonton and Calgary that have shown any hint of rebellion have faced very unpleasant repercussions. It takes a tremendous amount of personal courage to stand against these groups and I would think that the best person to champion the cause would be someone with that trait. Most strong Soccer men typically are not willing to stand in the firing line when it comes to a nasty political fight like this. Who needs to see their name dragged through the mud and suffer through character assassination and endless streams of outright lies perpetrated by these scoundrels all the way to the national level? I don't think many people can comprehend what it would feel like to bear the brunt of the unending series of misdeeds these individuals perpetrate. Whatever the result at least now people have seen that you can fight these guys, it's just never going to be easy.

[oc64]

CSA and the Mario led group are unbelievable. Wait until you see their latest communications.

[oc64]

OK, I'm an idiot. How do I copy and paste a letter into this forum? Can't get it to work.

[fishman]

I imagine you are referring to a letter sent to AMSL teams?

[oc64]

Yes, and also a letter from the talking heads at CSA

[fishman]

Yup...I am in receipt of those same letters. I am a bit flabbergasted by it all. If you want to copy and paste, just highlight the text in the .pdf letter and paste it in!

[oc64]

Doesn't seem to be working for me for some reason. nothing posts. I'll try again though.

[oc64]

These letters have been widely circulated so I am not violating anyone's trust. (formatting comes across a little screwy)


July 5, 2010
Mr. Mario Charpentier, Alberta Soccer Association Board of Directors
Mr. Chris Billings
Dear Sirs,
As requested by the Board of Directors of The Canadian Soccer Association (CSA), a Special
Committee composed of members of the Board was created to meet with representatives from the
Alberta Soccer Association (ASA) Board of Directors and Staff of June 25, 2010.
Following the meeting with the ASA representatives on June 25, 2010 and an Executive Committee
conference call on June 30, 2010, the following recommendations were unanimously approved:
1. That the CSA issue a clear and unequivocal statement that as a result of Mr. Billings’
suspension by the ASA, he is also suspended from all soccer activity in Canada.
2. That all meetings and directives issued by Mr. Billings while suspended are invalid and
are not recognized by the CSA and the ASA.
3. That in accordance with the Judicial Bodies established by the CSA and ASA, Mr.
Billings, after failing to attend two hearings, remains suspended from all soccer activities
in Alberta and in Canada until such time Mr. Billings contacts, in writing, the ASA to have
his case heard.
4. That the CSA Board commence proceedings to investigate possible disciplinary action
against Mr. Billings, in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of the CSA (Sections
11.b.iii.f, 11.c and 11.d). This is in light of his conduct since the start of Mr. Billings’
suspension in February 2010 which includes: use of media, actions (freezing of
accounts), possible slanderous comments against the CSA and its members, and refusal
to recognize the authority of the CSA.
5. That the CSA immediately act to conduct meetings with the Legal Department of the
ASA’s Financial Institution and Government of Alberta officials to help undo the possible
financial harm to the ASA and CSA in this matter. A significant amount of CSA money
(estimated $250k) is held within the ASA frozen accounts.
6. That CSA correspondence to the ASA indicates that any direction taken by the ASA
membership that will negatively impact the financial standing of the Association will be
dealt with by the ASA according to its By-laws.
The CSA is hoping that both parties will act accordingly in view of the interest of our sport in
Alberta and Canada.
Sincerely,
Dr. Dominique Maestracci

[oc64]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JULY 5, 2010
ASA Postpones Provincial Tournaments Due to Challenges Arising from Non‐Payment by Some Districts
Suspended ASA President Billings Fails to Attend a Second Disciplinary Hearing
CSA Commences Investigation Into Disciplinary Action Against Mr. Billings
The Alberta Soccer Association (ASA) issued a notice to soccer districts throughout Alberta today stating that a number of upcoming provincial soccer tournaments have had to be postponed. The ASA made its decision based on Mr. Billings unlawful activities that resulted in nonpayment or misdirection of dues by some districts relying upon information provided to them by Mr. Billings. The effects of which are starting to be felt around the province, as the attached notice indicates. In that notice, the ASA Board of Directors has announced the need to postpone many of the scheduled provincial tournaments because a number of hosting districts did not submit their member’s dues as required to remain in good standing with the ASA and Canadian Soccer Association (CSA).
A statement released on behalf of the ASA Board of Directors noted:
“The ASA Board recognizes and acknowledges that the postponement of the Tier IV rural provincial championships will cause inconvenience and possible hardship for those involved. However the Board does not currently have a reasonable alternative. Provincials cannot proceed in districts that are in bad standing as ASA's liability insurance coverage, which covers all members and their participants, is automatically revoked by the insurer for members declared in bad standing. Furthermore, it would be imprudent for the Board to incur significant additional expenses until payment from all districts is resolved. “
Mr. Billings has been informed repeatedly since April 2010 by the ASA and CSA that he was suspended from all soccer activities pending a hearing on allegations of gross misconduct. Mr.
Billings ignored the suspension and has directed Alberta soccer districts to remit the player fees they collected from members to a non ASA authorized third party.
In keeping with the ASA bylaws, this has resulted in non‐paying districts to be declared in bad standing by the ASA. Any district deemed to be in bad standing cannot be legally covered by the ASA's insurance policies, and as such they cannot play games or attend any CSA or ASA sanctioned tournaments until their outstanding dues are paid in full. In an effort to reach out to districts who may have re‐directed their membership funds without full knowledge of the situation, the ASA may be holding hearings to speak with those non paying districts in the near future.
Mr. Billings, has steadfastly refused to follow the due process outlined by ASA and CSA to bring this issue to a resolution, namely to attend a disciplinary hearing on the matter to address the allegations leveled against him. Mr. Billings has now failed to attend two scheduled hearings, one in April and the most recent on June 19th, 2010.
The CSA is in full support of the ASA Board of Directors and continues to uphold Mr. Billings’ suspension from soccer activities. The CSA is now in the process of “commencing proceedings to investigate into possible disciplinary action” against Mr. Billings, for, as they put it:
“…his conduct since the start of his suspension in February 2010, which includes use of the media, freezing of accounts, possible slanderous comments against the CSA and its members, and refusal to recognize the authority of the CSA”.
For comments or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Colin Innes, Director of Finance, ASA at 403‐615‐2002
Mario Charpentier, First Vice President, ASA at 780‐916‐7978
Victor Montagliani, Vice President of Canadian Soccer Association, 604‐828‐6924