CFU HOLDS 2008 EXCO MEETING
TTFF MediaT&T to host U17 Championship
The Caribbean Football Union, at its meeting of the Executive Committee held at Crowne Plaza Hotel on December 18th, 2007, fully supported FIFA's decision that 2010 World Cup Qualifying Matches would not be played at Stadia which failed to comply with FIFA Standards.
According to CFU General Secretary Angenie Kanhai, countries would lose their privileges to host their respective home matches if their facilities were not updated and brought up to the required standard. Inspections by visiting FIFA teams would be done ahead of the qualifying dates - February 6/7 2008.
There were other major decisions taken at the meeting held under the chairmanship of CFU President of Jack Warner chief of which were:
1. the confirmation of Trinidad and Tobago's continuance as host of the CFU U-16 Youth Cup in August 2008, this competition will also serve as a preliminary qualifying phase for the 2009 FIFA Under 17 World Championship; and
2. the hosting of the 2008 Digicel Caribbean Cup Finals by Jamaica in December. The 2008 Digicel Caribbean Cup will be held in three stages - the playoffs in April & May, followed by the preliminary group stage - held simultaneously at various venues- on July 2nd, 4th and 6th and the eight-team final stage in Jamaica from December 3rd to 14th.
At the Club level, it was decided that CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh (T&T) and Puerto Rico Islanders (Puerto Rico) would play-off, on March 15th and April 16th, for the 3rd Caribbean Club berth into the 2008-2009 Concacaf Champions' League. This will be the first time three (3) Caribbean teams will be participating in the Concacaf Club Competition and indicates one of the benefits of the new League format for the 2008-2009 season of this tournament for which Jamaica's Harbour View and Trinidad and Tobago's Joe Public have already qualified.
The following was also decided:
(i)Guadeloupe was confirmed as host of the XXXI CFU Ordinary Congress on March 2nd, 2008. At the Congress the CFU plans to introduce a Monitoring Committee which will be responsible for assisting in the resolution of internal issues among CFU affiliates and their membership.
(ii) Other CFU COMPETITIONS - FUTSAL- Cuba received an automatic berth into the Concacaf Futsal final tournament while the remaining 6 Caribbean teams will compete for the 2nd and 3rd spots in Guyana in mid-February 2008.
(iii) The Digicel Kick Start Clinic for Men's U-20 teams of selected Caribbean nations, being formally launched on January 5th in Guyana, has been fully endorsed by the CFU Exco. Digicel will also sponsor the U-15 Girls Competition in July 2008 in an effort to target Caribbean Youth.
(iiii) Ms. Angenie Kanhai was officially confirmed as the General Secretary of CFU having been acting in that position since March, 2007.
The Antigua & Barbuda FA (ABFA) was mandated to finalize payments of those monies, verified by the CFU arbitrator, to be owed to former CEO/General Secretary, Mr. Chet Greene, within 30 days of the date of the 19th of December, 2008. The ABFA will face suspension if they do not comply with the Executive Committee's decision.
The full CFU competition schedule for 2008 and further details can be found on the CFU website -
www.caribbeanfootballunion.org.
Warner later hosted the delegates at the CFU’s Christmas Dinner at the House of Chan Restaurant, Emerald Plaza on Tuesday night. Their tokens including a US$500 CFU pin were presented to the members as well as personalized 2008 diaries. Warner also recognized Digicel for its ongoing commitment to Caribbean football, acknowledging the presence of Digicel sponsorship manager Shelly Ann Browne. (Dec 19,2007)
