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Youth soccer club red-carded

SURREY - One of B.C.'s largest youth soccer clubs, the Surrey-based Central City Breakers, has been suspended from play pending an investigation into charges against the organization's management team, who are alleged to have broken several of the organization's bylaws and even indirectly diverted funds to another club.The suspension was handed down Friday (July 24) by the South District Girls' Soccer Association (SDGSA), the authority that oversees the Breakers' female players, following a series of complaints against the club, including the improper use of club funds to support the Canadian Eagles, a club that the complaint says is not affiliated with the district or B.C. Soccer.The suspension means the club cannot register any female players or participate in any B.C. Soccer-sanctioned events.Surrey Metro Soccer, which oversees the boys who play for the Breakers, has also been notified of the allegations. An estimated 2,800 boys and girls play for Central City Breakers teams.Details of the allegations are contained in a four-page letter sent to the SDGSA earlier this month by Amar Bains, a member of the Breakers and the former vice-president in charge of equipment. In the letter, Bains claims the club violated four of its own bylaws around with whom the club can be affiliated, timing of the annual general meeting and conflicts of interest.Specific attention was paid to the alleged support the Central City Breakers have been providing to the Canadians Eagles FC.In his letter, Bains claims the two clubs share seven board members and that "monies have been paid" from the Breakers to the Eagles, a violation of club bylaws.Bruce McCallum, chair of the girls soccer association, declined to comment on the matter, other than to confirm an investigation has been launched into the allegation, which the organization's website characterized as "grievous."A statement posted on its website Monday said the club has asked the district for specific details of the allegations, as well as a justification for "imposing discipline on the club without first providing details of these apparent complaints or an opportunity to address the allegations.""The club believe the district has acted unfairly in this matter and intends to pursue the issue with B.C. Soccer," the statement read. colivier@theprovince.com