Former national football player Sowerby Gomes has publicly criticised the decision to exclude striker Keyonte George from Antigua and Barbuda's 21-member men's under-20 squad set to compete at the Concacaf Championships in Mexico, calling the disciplinary action harsh and excessive.
According to Antigua Observer, Gomes — who most recently served as technical director for football — contends that due process was not followed in the handling of the matter. While acknowledging that George's conduct may have warranted some form of response, Gomes believes the severity of the punishment does not fit the circumstances.
Gomes, widely regarded as one of the more experienced football administrators in the country, weighed in on the controversy as reported by Antigua Observer, adding his voice to what has become a growing debate over how football authorities managed the situation ahead of the regional youth tournament.
The under-20 Concacaf Championships in Mexico represent a significant stage for young Antiguan footballers, making the exclusion of a key striker a matter of considerable public interest. The decision has drawn scrutiny not only for its impact on the squad's competitiveness but also for the process by which it was reached.
Gomes' comments signal broader concerns within football circles about transparency and fairness in disciplinary proceedings involving national team players.
