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« on: July 02, 2008, 04:38:48 AM »
I have noted for some time that various posters have wanted to make a formal media statement concerning the plight of football in T&T. Therefore, I have taken the liberty of draughting an open letter to Mr Warner. Maybe this could be sent to the papers or, as previously suggested, take out an ad in the paper? I have not specifically mentioned SW.net or warrior nation, but, of course, the letter may be edited if you wish.
Dear Mr Warner
We are writing to you to offer you the views of the true SocaWarrior supporters.
As you do not offer us the opportunity of speaking to you directly we have decided to use your favoured method of communication, the media.
Our members have watched with interest your recent statements and interviews, and we now offer you our views and opinions for you to consider.
Mr Warner, no one can have any doubt that you have achieved many beneficial advantages for T&T football over the years. However, critics may also point their fingers at a similar level of embarrasing episodes that you have been involved in.
It is difficult for us to believe that many of your actions are designed for the benefit of T&T football rather than to achieve the personal and political aims of Jack Warner.
You behave like a spoilt child in the playground, and if you can't be in charge, you take your football home so no one else can play. And like a spoilt child much of what you say makes no sense to anyone other than yourself.
FPATT was officially launched in May 2007 to represent professional footballers in Trinidad & Tobago and those representing Trinidad & Tobago in international competitions. They have developed a good relationship with the ProLeague, the government, FIFPro and supporters, yet you and TTFF have still not recognised their organisation.
You talk often about not receiving a penny from Minister Hunt, yet you fail to mention how you have spent the money given to you by Mr Boynes or the income from the 2006 world cup campaign.
You have the power to bring England to play in Trinidad, yet you are unable to order your accountants to prepare your books from 2006 so that you can present them to Mr Hunt and achieve the funding you complain so loudly about him witholding.
Mr Warner, you are an MP. You are sworn to defend the rights of your constituents and protect taxpayers funds, yet you attack Mr Hunt for doing exactly that.
The stadium fees have remained the same for 20 years. Why have you and your friends in parliament not asked questions about this? I imagine that prices in your travel agents have not remained the same for 20 years. But when Mr Hunt corrects this travesty you criticise him.
Mr Warner, your decision to play the Bermuda game on an artificial surface cannot have been made to benefit the people of these islands, but to attempt to score political points and discredit Mr Hunt. Your announcement to play home fixtures overseas cannot possibly benefit supporters or the players. Again, it would appear that this is designed for political purposes.
Everybody knows that you run football in T&T. You decide which players to blacklist, you decide which of your friends will be coaches, you decide where money is spent and which promises you keep and which you will ignore.
Mr Camps and Mr Roden are, as usual, conspicuous by their silence. This may suit you, Mr Warner. However, you will have to produce your accounts one day. And if, for any reason, there are discrepencies, it will be you that is responsible.
Instead of wasting time breaking FIFAs primary rule of mixing football with politics, why are you not developing grass roots projects to develop the next generation of footballers? Why are you not using the high profile of football to help tackle the governments objectives?
You claim to be the champion of the poor black people from beyond the bridge, yet you do not use your influence to coordinate football based projects with the government to tackle gang and drug culture, education, and family planning issues.
It is time that TTFF changes is electoral procedure to allow those that care about football onto the board. Mr Camps and Mr Groden have consistently failed in their roles. They may be nice people, but football is in turmoil and they are responsible for the administration of the game. Of course, this may be because of your interference. The same could be said of Mr Maturana. Have you ever allowed him to select the team that he wants?
Mr Warner, you frequently inform us of your respected position within Concacaf and FIFA. Why don't you concentrate on those areas and leave T&T football alone?
Lets us invite a new administration that is transparent and accountable. Let our coach select the team he wants. Let all of the stakeholders of T&T football - the administration, the players, the ProLeague, the supporters and the government- work together for the benefit of the islands.
The funny thing is that this would increase your popularity. At the moment you only bring negativity to the discussions. Your abilities on the world stage are second to none, yet at home you are becoming a pariah. Do what you do best, Mr Warner, stop being a spoilt child and give the people of Trinidad & Tobago their football back.