FIFA summoned over Warner World Cup pact.
By: Lasana Liburd (Express).[/size]
Warriors strike back
FIFA president Sepp Blatter must wince at the mention of Jack Warner, who is one of Blatter's nine vice-presidents as well as CONCACAF president and Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (T&TFF) special adviser.
Yesterday, another financial dispute was on its way to FIFA's Zurich headquarters as Athletes1 Legal, a London law firm hired by the national footballers, waded into an ongoing conflict between the T&TFF and the "Soca Warriors" over appearance fees and an agreed share of commercial revenues.
Warner, a former T&TFF general secretary, negotiated the pact between the players and the federation. Warner was questioned three times within the past nine months by FIFA about alleged misconduct. At present, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee is deliberating over a report by international accounting firm Ernst & Young, which claimed that Warner illegally resold at least 180 World Cup tickets.
If guilty, Warner could face expulsion from the powerful global sporting body.
Blatter may be forced to initiate an enquiry into whether the T&TFF tried to cheat its players out of millions too and, again, Warner is a key figure.
The British law firm yesterday demanded an independent audit of the T&TFF's financial books as they simultaneously dispatched legal letters to FIFA and the T&TFF that highlighted the players' grievances. A release was also sent to the Trinidad and Tobago and British media to explain their latest position.
The players did an about-turn on their threatened mass retirement from international duty and are available to face Austria in a friendly on November 15. But they are not prepared to back down from their claim that the T&TFF breached its contract with the players over World Cup bonuses.
Athletes1 Legal lawyer Sam Hollis, who works under lead attorney Michael Townley, was unwilling to discuss the specifics of the agreement between Warner and the players but claimed that their clients had the moral high ground.
"The players are not on strike," Hollis told the Express. "Our position and the players' position is that they are definitely not delinquent and they are prepared to play... But they do have a legal case which must be remedied.
"The Federation must give them a fair account of money earned from the World Cup."
A media release confirmed that Athletes1 Legal would seek the Warriors' interest in their dispute over World Cup bonuses. It insisted that the players-16 of whom played professionally in Britain at the time of the tournament-were united in the battle with the local body.
"The players, acting through a committee of six senior players, and with the full authority of the whole squad," stated the release, "has now consulted with lawyers and is confident that there is a suitable arbitration process under the FIFA statutes to resolve the issues, if indeed the squad and the Federation cannot reach an agreement between themselves.
"The squad therefore is happy to confirm their availability for selection for international games, including the forthcoming match against Austria. The players consider it an honour and privilege to play for their country and want to represent the fans in the best way-by playing great football and winning matches."
There was a stern rebuff for the T&TFF too after the Federation initially referred to the players as "delinquent" and "less than honourable" for going public with their dissatisfaction.
"The squad is surprised, hurt and disappointed by the approach of the Federation over this issue," stated the release, "and their initial reaction was that (the players) no longer wanted to represent a Federation that appeared not to be complying with its commitments to the players.
"The Federation has seen it fit to brand the players 'delinquent' in circumstances where all they want is for the contract they have to be honoured. The first step is for the Federation to produce independent audited accounts relating to their revenues and the players do not think that such a request could properly be characterised as 'delinquent'
"The players hope that the Federation will cooperate with the process which is about to begin and particularly that the Federation will be forthcoming with full and accurate financial information."
The Soca Warriors agreed, last November, to split revenue earned by the T&TFF on its 2006 Germany World Cup, including sponsorship and marketing income and gate receipts. Warner brokered the deal on behalf of the Federation.
However, the players refused to accept the T&TFF's claim that it received $18 million during the stipulated time frame. The Federation further insisted that expenses be deducted before paying the Warriors.
T&TFF general secretary Richard Groden eventually offered the players $141,102 or $5,644.08 per player on October 10.
The 24 players received $1 million each from the Trinidad and Tobago government-$750,000 in units from the Unit Trust Corporation and $250,000 in cash-in July for their gutsy and historical World Cup debut. The players believe they are due much more and Athletes1 Legal agrees. FIFA may be asked to adjudicate on the matter.
