Lawrence quits international game.
T&T Express Reports.
Trinidad and Tobago's Swansea City defender Dennis Lawrence has decided to put an end to his seven-year international career.
His decision comes amidst the current impasse between the T&T World Cup players and the T&T Football Federation (T&TFF) over promised reward payments from their participation in Germany last year.
The 32-year-old Lawrence, home on vacation after a hectic season with League One club Swansea, believes he is not yet at retirement age but thinks leaving is the best choice for him at this stage.
"Basically, I have a lot to offer still but under the current circumstances it's not possible."
Lawrence, a key member of the recently-established Football Players Association of T&T (FPATT), made it clear that he was in no way backing out of supporting the players' stance with the T&TFF, but said there comes a time when a player has to look after his own needs.
"I've always been a team player, but at this moment I think I have to look after my needs and that of my family, which is trying to get the best out of myself for my club."
He added: "A lot has happened over the last ten months since our last game in Germany, and it has been very frustrating for me and many others involved in football.
"I have had a lot of time to think and discuss with my family, friends and agent about my position on the matter at hand. For the record, I will like to say that I fully support my teammates in their stand for what we believe is right.
"Having said this, however, I must add that I do not support the legal action taken against the T&TFF, because I feel that between the players and the T&TFF, we had a good enough relationship to deal with our issues behind closed doors. It is sad to say now that this is not the case.
"However, I do hope that for the future of T&T football, both sides will soon resolve the matter," he said.
Lawrence, who scored the vital goal for T&T to beat Bahrain 1-0 in Manama on November 15, 2005 to qualify for the World Cup Finals in Germany, added: "I had a lengthy discussion with my agent, family and my close friends and at the moment I think it's the best move.
"I'm 32 going on 33 and it's not what I wanted to do, but it's in the best interest of me right now."
Looking back at his own international career, Lawrence said the current dispute with the football federation is surely the low point.
"I was hoping that after the World Cup we would have improved our international status and we would have been able to pass on that experience to the younger players, but at the moment that's not possible.
"But I'm still hoping that it can be resolved. I'm looking forward to wearing the national colours of red, white and black maybe in the near future as a supporter," Lawrence said.
