Below we publish the statement that Michał Sudoł published on his official Facebook profile:
Good morning!
I would like to share some unpleasant news with you.
As you know, I have been a football coach and have worked with children from our municipality since 2013. Previously, I was a coach at KS Talent, and since 2017 I have coached the Orlik and Żak groups at the Municipal Football Academy operating at the Municipal Culture and Sports Centre in Nowogrodziec. I would add that I initiated the creation of as many as six children's groups, thanks to which more than one hundred children from Nowogrodziec, Zebrzydowa, Parzyce, Gościszów, Milików and Gierałtów currently train in these six groups. Since 2017, our academy has gained recognition among parents and children, and now people from neighbouring municipalities are also contacting us.
When I became a member of the Nowogrodziec Municipal Council, I hoped for even greater development of football in our municipality, both for children and adults. Unfortunately, a very unpleasant situation occurred which, in my opinion, should never have happened.
The director of the GCKiS, under pressure from the Mayor, terminated my contract to conduct activities with children without really giving a reason for this decision. The Mayor and councillors from the Pokój i Dobro club refer to Article 24e of the Act on Municipal Government, which states: A councillor may not undertake additional activities or accept donations that could affect the credibility of the councillor's mandate.
In my opinion, working with children and organising their free time, tournaments and trips to matches actually enhance my credibility. It was thanks to this work that my commitment was recognised and voters placed their trust in me in the last local elections. I signed the contract with the GCKiS long before obtaining the mandate or deciding to run for office, so the claim that my work at the GCKiS could undermine confidence in my mandate has no basis in the facts. I acquired the coaching skills, experience and knowledge that I use in my work with children as a private individual. I do not owe my position and authority among young footballers to my position as a councillor.
I would add that the legal opinions in my case are favourable to me. Here is part of one of them:
...The above-mentioned activity at the Municipal Culture and Sports Centre in Nowogrodziec does not conflict with Mr Michał Sudoł's performance of his duties as a councillor in the Nowogrodziec Municipality. This activity does not violate the provisions contained in Articles 24a to 24f of the Act of 8 March 1990 on Municipal Government establishing specific prohibitions on employing councillors. In particular, the activity does not violate Article 24e, which states that councillors may not undertake additional activities or receive donations that could undermine voters' confidence in the performance of the mandate in accordance with Article 23a(1).
Activity consisting of organising and conducting sports activities with children and young people does not violate generally accepted ethical and moral principles. It is beneficial and has many educational and developmental merits. For these reasons, Mr Michał Sudoł's activity carried out under a contract with the GCKiS in Nowogrodziec cannot undermine voters' confidence in the performance of his mandate.
I perceive the attempt to deprive me of work with children as a personal attack on me.
Regards,
Michał Sudoł
Asked for comment on the matter, Nowogrodziec Mayor Robert Relich replied:
The explanatory proceedings concerning the councillor's mandate are being conducted by the Lower Silesian Voivode, who will assess the factual and legal circumstances of Mr Michał Sudoł's activity in connection with the contract for services with remuneration at the GCKIS in Nowogrodziec.
Councillors of the Municipality and Town of Nowogrodziec engage in many social initiatives and cooperate within non-governmental organisations. For many years, they have not expected a reward for this in the form of monthly remuneration. This principle had been in force for many years.
Will it continue to be so? I do not know. The new councillors' club, which holds a majority in the Municipal Council, is imposing new standards.
The parents of children training at the Municipal Football Academy came to the coach's defence. A group of around 30 parents and children appeared at a municipal council session to express their opposition. According to one person present at the session who spoke to us, the Mayor of Nowogrodziec did not want to answer whether Michał Sudoł would still be allowed to train children at the municipal academy. They met with the Director of the Municipal Culture and Sports Centre about the matter. Another meeting is to be held.
The parents do not intend to give up. They are defending the coach and want him to continue training their children. They are grateful for his commitment and the passion he shares during the sessions. Coach Michał Sudoł claims that the decision to terminate the contract is political and that such treatment discourages active people from working for the benefit of the local community.
And what do our readers think about the whole matter?