FPATT: Deal with us, Jack.
By: Lasna Liburd (Express).
Players' body rejects Warner offer to meet some on blacklist.
The Football Players' Association of Trinidad and Tobago (FPATT) is ready for its first case-and it is a big one. Jack Warner, a FIFA vice-president and Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (T&TFF) special advisor, indicated on Saturday that he is willing to meet some of the nation's blacklisted players in an effort to address the 2006 World Cup bonus dispute, which is already set for the court room.
Warner told T&TFF press officer Shaun Fuentes-who, like Warner, also serves on FIFA and CONCACAF-that he would meet the players individually.
FPATT begged to differ. In a media release issued yesterday, the fledgling association ventured into the controversial issue as they claimed the right to represent the players en bloc with Warner.
"We feel it would be inappropriate for Mr Warner to discuss this situation with individual players," stated the FPATT release.
"However, as (the) TTFF have appointed Mr Warner to speak on their behalf, the players feel that they would be happy to appoint FPATT representatives to speak for them."
If Warner agrees, it might be a significant step towards solving a financial dispute that seemed bound for the local courts although both parties frequently reiterated their preference for an amicable resolution.
The rift hinged on a deal struck between the "Soca Warriors" and Warner, who acted on behalf of the T&TFF, regarding the disbursement of revenue generated from Trinidad and Tobago 's maiden World Cup appearance.
The players, as Warner admitted, were promised 50 per cent of all income but were left disappointed when the T&TFF offered just $141,102 to be split 25 ways-which equated to $5,644.08 per player.
The T&TFF claimed that the figure should take expenses into account but the players disagreed with all subtractions and were skeptical of the audited sheet offered by the local football body.
Sixteen Warriors turned to the local courts for justice last month after several requests for meetings through their attorney, Michael Townley, went unheeded by the T&TFF.
Warner accused the players of greed.
The FIFA bigwig insisted the T&TFF had done nothing wrong but still hinted that the Warriors might be paid extra. He suggested, though, that he was only interested in meeting players who were likely to represent their country in the future.
"The TTFF has given the players all their money," said Warner, via the T&TFF media office, "and some of the guys who are not able to play for T&T again, are just looking for another pay day I intend within the next month to meet with the guys who still have a playing future and explain to them the folly of their ways.
"I have allowed this situation to drag on for a while, so that the guys can see the wrong they do. Who knows, after I meet with them one-on-one, I may even pay them what they want but they must know the errors of their ways."
FPATT suggested they were happy Warner has shown an interest in discussing the matter but insisted that it would be "most convenient" for both parties to communicate through appointed representatives.
The players association, which is led by an interim steering committee headed by president Shaka Hislop and vice-president Clayton "JB" Morris, advised Warner that his proposed meeting with players in London was impractical since "none of the players are London based and will have footballing commitments".
FPATT also expressed an early desire to negotiate contracts for the upcoming 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign.
"Both the players concerned and FPATT welcome the opportunity to discuss this matter with TTFF," stated FPATT. "It has always been the aim of the players and FPATT, for the benefit of football both in T&T and globally, to settle this dispute without the need to attend court.
"FPATT looks forward to being contacted by (the) TTFF or their representative, Mr Warner, to arrange a meeting. FPATT would also like to extend an invitation to Mr Warner, while he is in London , to hold preliminary talks on behalf of (the) TTFF, regarding players' contracts for the forthcoming 2010 World Cup campaign."
FPATT was formed in January 2003 but remained inactive until its launch in May 2007.