World Cup players donations to FPATT.
Trinidad & Tobagos world cup players including Kenwyne Jones, Kelvin Jack, Stern John and Brent Sancho, have donated part of their World Cup qualifying bonuses to their players association, FPATT. The money originates from an agreement made by the 23 world cup final squad members that the qualifying bonus be divided into 24 equal shares, with one share being donated to "worthwhile causes".
Although players could choose the recipients of their donation, many players opted to give the money to FPATT.
Trinidad & Tobago Football Federation have withheld this money until recently, when the matter was raised in the ongoing arbitration brought by 16 of the players against TTFF over unpaid bonuses.
Mysteriously, the players were sent cashier cheques drawn an a CONCACAF account. Quite how this pre agreed bonus money ended up in the account of the regional governing body is anyones guess, but again, raises questions into the financial affairs of TTFF, CONCACAF and the link between the two - Jack Warner, special adviser to TTFF and CONCACAF president.
Mr Warner has recently stated in the press that he has advised TTFF not to recognise FPATT and to continue to ignore attempts by FPATT president Shaka Hislop to negotiate on behalf of his members. This failure has led to senior international players to refuse to sign TTFF contracts prior to the T&T vs Guadaloupe match.
Mr Warners lack of respect for footballers seems to be reflected by his boss Sepp Blatter, who last week publicly criticised FIFPro's Gordon Taylor, who felt his members views were being ignored.
FPATT president, Shaka Hislop, commented that, more than ever, footballs administrators and the players needed to work together to tackle the many global football issues that effect the game.
Hislop said " It is time that people realised that the old days of FIFA are over. Players views should be more respected today, and they should play an integral role in shaping football for the future. These donations to FPATT by players show that they take more responsibility in improving the game, not just for themselves, but also for young players in the community and supporters. We have to recognise the skills that can be brought to the games development, from players, administrators, and also from coaches, referees and supporters of the game."
Hislop went on to say that the donations are greatly appreciated and will be used to assist in community projects in Trinidad and Tobago.
Poster Note: This press release was issued last week to journalists in the UK and USA. You will note that the piece by Matt Stott in last weeks UK Guardian newspaper wavered from this statement and, therefore, was not accurate. Matt Stott called me to apologise for the innaccuracies.
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Whether or not is is standard practice for Concacaf to advance funds to TTFF, the question people should be asking is why money belonging to footballers and was entrusted to TTFF is no longer in TTFFs accounts. This has never been part of TTFFs funds, they merely held on to it pending a decision on which organisations the money would be paid to. Since January 2007, the 16 players involved in the arbitration case have been asking TTFF to release this money. The arbitration hearing takes place on 28th April in London.