In a statement, the federation also adds that the first and second-placed sides in the first division league, Real De Banjul and Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) will represent the country in the next CAF competitions.
According to the federation, it will provide further financial support to clubs when the FIFA Covid-relief package arrives. Already, the federation has supported each club with D50, 000.
The GFF also plans to use the break to refurbish some of the playing grounds, which are in a poor state.
Nullifying the leagues has met with mixed reactions and mixed feelings from club presidents and football followers.
Willy Abraham, President of Real De Banjul, who were on top of the first division, does not welcome the decision while hoping the federation considers compensating clubs for the losses. He recommends that the decision should have been delayed.
Latrikunda United, a community football team, was topping the second division at the end of the first round, but their hopes of gaining promotion to the top tier have been dashed. The club president Sheikh Njie says it’s a difficult moment for them.
However, among those in support of the move are the President of Gamtel, Kebba Touray, and struggling BK Milan’s CEO Ousman Drammeh, who both say health is more important than football.
Ebou Faye, 2nd Vice President of The Gambia Football Federation said the decision was taken after what he calls “due consultation with stakeholders”. He said discussions have been ongoing since April, denying it is a rushed move.
On the identified clubs to represent the country at the continental competitions, Faye said the two are not favoured. “We must be represented at the competitions and that is why the top two are identified. Real De Banjul and Gambia Armed Forces are just lucky.”
The Gambian leagues are among the least-watched and funded around the world, yet over the years, they have exported several talents to foreign leagues.
The Gambia is among other few countries that have taken similar controversial decision.
Real De Banjul disagrees
The Real De Banjul FC board, on Tuesday, wrote to the Gambia Football Federation, not accepting the offer to represent the Gambia in next season's CAF Champions League.
“Real De Banjul FC is not only one of the oldest members of the GFF, but we have always played a cardinal role in the development of football in The Gambia by following the Laws and Rules of the game, invest in all aspects of football development, support the GFF to best of our ability at all times.”
The club says it does not want its reputation and those of its members to be unfairly tainted.
“We feel that the club should have been crowned champions when the season was abandoned.”
It was not known, as of Tuesday, what the federation’s next decision will be.
Unlike Real De Banjul, Gambia Armed Forces Football Club was yet to issue a statement on its decision.
State of emergency
There is a state of public health emergency across the country, declared by The Gambia government, to help curb the spread of the virus. The Gambia has 25 cases, as of 24th May 2020.
For a country with one of the poorest health system, there is fear the consequences could be grave. However, there is denial among many that the virus does not exist, hence urging the government to allow people to go about their businesses.
Many in the country live from hand to mouth.
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