The Butler, Speid spat

by Orville Higgins

DEPENDING ON who you talk to, Craig Butler is either the greatest thing in the island when it comes to coaching and promoting our youth footballers, or he is an arrogant out-of-control man who believes that he should be a law unto himself. There is a running battle between himself and the Kingston and St Andrew Football Assoiation (KSAFA) that has been ongoing for a while, and the end seems to be nowhere in sight.

This long-standing battle started way back in 2007. Butler was then fighting for the right to get Stony Hill involved in KSAFA competitions, although the club was not involved in KSAFA competitions for over a decade. Butler felt he had done all that was asked of him by KSAFA, and Stony Hill had, indeed, started to play in two KSAFA age-group competitions. At that point, one Livingston Payne came into the picture and claimed that he was, indeed, the rightful owner of the Stony Hill franchise. So now we have both men claiming that they were the rightful leader. Butler went to court after KSAFA advised that both men shared joint leadership roles until the matter was sorted out.

Butler wasn't happy and carried KSAFA to court. As I understand it, the court was sympathetic to Mr Butler's story, felt he had a case, and had set another date for the matter to be settled. At the time, it was Stewart Stephenson who was the president of KSAFA, which is an important fact, because it is widely believed that Butler's problem with KSAFA is nothing more than a personal battle with Rudolph Speid, the current president. The truth is that Speid took over in 2008 when Butler, however justifiable his case was, had already committed hari-kari by taking KSAFA to court. As is well known in football circles worldwide, an affiliate carrying a parent body to court is the biggest in the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA).

fifa steps in

FIFA, by now, had realised what was going on, and had contacted the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) to get involved. After the JFF met with KSAFA, the decision was taken that Butler must pay the ultimate price. KSAFA stuck with a FIFA mandate that said, 'If you carry an affiliate to court, you shall be banned', a fact that Craig told me that he wasn't aware of at the time he took this action. He was banned indefinitely under the presidency of Stewart Stephenson before the return court date set by the judge. Had he gone through with the second court date, in all probability, he would have been banned for life. Maybe quite wisely, Butler never went through with any additional court action. Despite that, according to KSAFA, Butler flagrantly violated the terms of his ban on numerous occasions by continuing to coach.

seeking a home for players

With the Stony Hill franchise now a sore issue, and with his indefinite ban in place, Craig took his players all over the Corporate Area with what he was now calling the Phoenix All-stars Football Academy. According to those at KSAFA, he went to Maverley, Liguanea, University of Technology (UTech) Papine, Meadforrest, even Rockfort, all in an apparent attempt to find a home for him and his players. He wouldn't break up his players, and clearly the players wanted to stay with him. He couldn't find an abiding city, and according to KSAFA was still continuing to coach. His constant movement did get at least one club into trouble. UTech Papine did get banned for two years because of their association with him.

Butler then emigrated to Austria, with a mission to find new opportunites to get his boys into professional football. He has got several players into professional set-ups: Kevon Atkinson at Bayern Munich, Romario McKnight at Lille in France, and Kyle Butler and Leon Bailey are at USK Leube Anis. He is now planning to get some local players on a tour in Europe, hoping to catch the eyes of scouts. All that is great, but KSAFA, while acknowledging Butler's role in promoting these youngsters, is convinced that he just doesn't play by the rules. KSAFA says before this trip can get their blessing, JFF must first get documents, showing invitation, show financing, permission from host association, etc., none of which Mr Butler is prepared to do.

I spoke to both Mr Speid and Mr Butler before writing this article. They both mean well. Speid is an excellent administrator and wants Butler to observe protocol and rules, and Butler is clearly a visionary with a good heart who is convinced that KSAFA should try to work with, rather than against him. A way must be found so that they can both coexist.

Orville Higgins is sportscaster. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com.