By Neto Baptiste
General Secretary of the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association (ABFA) Zorol Barthley, has confirmed that an investigation into reported misconduct by a popular local football official was carried out by the FIFA Guardians Safeguarding officers here in Antigua.
Speaking on Observer Radio’s Good Morning Jojo sports show, Barthley said two local safeguarding officers conducted an investigation on FIFA’s request, following reports of unwarranted sexual advances to at least one player by an official attached to a local club during the recently concluded 2025/26 domestic season.
“There has been some allegations and I mean it would be foolhardy of me to suggest that there has not been those allegations because they are out there. There has been an investigation as to those allegations and as to where that process goes, there has been no charges etc passed. Police would have also interviewed the relevant parties so as it stands now there is really not a matter for public consumption. Obviously it will be a matter that the club will ultimately deal with and have to deal with,” he said.
Revealing there were no juveniles involved in the reports in question, Barthley said he is not at liberty to divulge any details regarding the findings of the investigation but added the matter is now in the hands of the unnamed club.
“I know a lot of people have been asking what the report said. Whatever the investigative process was, it was done properly under FIFA mandate and so it remains confidential. What will ultimately happen is that the club will have to make an internal decision,” the GS said.
FIFA has adopted a zero-tolerance policy for sexual abuse in football and has mandated that all youth teams be accompanied by safeguarding officers.
ABFA Confirms FIFA-mandated Investigation into misconduct allegations
