Morrison’s neck — FFSL’s Achilles heel?
According to confirmed sources, Morrison has suffered a neck injury that requires immediate surgery, followed by a recovery period of up to six weeks or more, making his availability for Sri Lanka’s home and away doubleheader against Cambodia in 18 days doubtful. Sources further confirm that Morrison has updated the FFSL administration on the neck injury he sustained prior to Sri Lanka’s doubleheader against Brunei, played on June 8 and 11 in Brunei’s capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, where the visitors lost the first game 0-1 and followed with another 1-0 loss to suffer a series loss.
Andy Morrison took charge of Sri Lanka in 2022 for a period of two years as Head Coach
A press release issued by the FFSL on August 14 confirmed Morrison’s condition, which is severe according to a consultation with a Consultant Neurosurgeon based in the United Kingdom, prompting Sri Lanka to make interim arrangements for their next international outing against Cambodia. However, a startling revelation has emerged regarding Morrison’s current condition, as indicated in the opening clause of the FFSL press release, which states: “It has come to our attention that false information is being spread by certain individuals with ulterior motives regarding Sri Lanka national team coach Andrew Morrison and his absence from the upcoming national team training camp. While we strongly condemn these sabotage efforts, the FFSL wishes to clarify its official position.”
This statement perhaps confirms the doubts that have been circulating about a division within the Executive Committee of FFSL, where most members have questioned the conduct of their very own top official. They have raised concerns about the top chair’s approach in running the FFSL administration unilaterally, without forwarding matters that should be tabled for consultation and approval by the Executive Committee. Morrison’s debacle, and his potential replacement if he is unavailable for the Cambodia games, is one of many important issues that have been bypassed by the FFSL chief since the new administration was elected on September 29, 2023. This is despite recommendations by the global body, FIFA, and the regional body, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), that members of the Executive Committee hold monthly meetings until pending issues from the previous three years, dating back to 2021, are resolved.
According to inside sources, the FFSL had its last Executive Meeting on June 19. At that time, the appointment committees and their heads were established after a long wait of nine months, an action that should have been taken immediately after the election in September 2023. Since then, two meetings have been scheduled, but neither has taken place. Additionally, the appointments of the committees have not been made official so far.
It is also said that Morrison has made inquiries about several matters related to his role, perks, and most importantly, the well-being of the national squad players. Morrison’s visa, valid until the end of his tenure in April 2025, and proper accommodation facilities are yet to be provided by the FFSL. The former Manchester City defender has also raised concerns over the lack of an insurance facility for the coaching staff as well as the national squad players. However, none of these issues have been brought to the attention or consideration of the Executive Committee so far.
“Who is going to take up the challenge at short notice to replace Morrison? Why is the National Team Management and Development Task Force not doing their duty? The Task Force is composed of seven ExCo members only, and there isn’t a single technical expert, former player, or coach included. How can we develop the game without experts on the committee? Are we depending on a few technical staff members who are already wasting FFSL’s time and money without any productivity? We as ExCo members will have to face all the repercussions due to negligence and faults committed by the President,” certain Executive Committee members have questioned among themselves within the fraternity, according to insiders.
Morrison’s issue, which could have been addressed well in advance locally, has only opened a can of worms, making FFSL’s already troubled journey even more challenging unless they adopt the manifesto that promised good governance and transparency.
However, during the past 11 months since their election, the current FFSL administration has been ineffectively trying to resolve the pending issues from the years 2021, 2022, and 2023, the financial accounts and audit reports of which are yet to be approved.
Among other concerns, the Executive Committee members are eager to address the lack of Executive Committee Meetings, proper budgets, local tournaments, transparency, youth development programs, grassroots programs, proper national team preparation, proper coaching staff appointments, proper statutory and other committee appointments and functioning, league grants, league summits, footballs and equipment for players, sponsorships, proper funds from FIFA and AFC, professional staff, infrastructure for football development, and the appointment of committee members to FIFA, AFC, and SAFF.
Adding to the woes, the Finance Manager of FFSL, Ravindra Kahandawala, has tendered his resignation, effective at the end of August. However, Kahandawala’s last day at the office was Friday, and despite notice, the FFSL has yet to appoint his replacement, notably given the present situation.
“There is nothing secret or classified about Executive Committee meetings, as we all gather to make decisions in the best interest of the sport and its stakeholders. The decisions made are meant to be implemented and put into action, not kept secret and withheld, and that’s the duty of every elected member of the FFSL administration. If any member has a different view, our guess is that he or she is self-centered and not here to serve the sport,” a few concerned Executive Committee members stressed.
The completed 11 months since September 2023 have shown little to no progress, according to football stakeholders, who voice their concern over the future of the most followed sport in Sri Lanka. A few leagues have managed to conduct their core competitions, keeping the sport alive in their respective regions, but overall, top competitions have yet to hit the field since 2022. All these shortcomings and behind-the-scenes affairs were camouflaged by the national team’s recent six games, which resulted in three losses, two draws, and a win – a façade to cover up the administrative mishaps of FFSL. If not placed on the right track, Morrison’s neck could become FFSL’s Achilles’ heel.