Trinidad World Cup players win payment dispute over 2006 World Cup revenue
The Associated Press
Published: May 21, 2008
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad: A group of players from Trinidad's 2006 World Cup side has won an arbitration ruling from a London court that one says entitles them to some of the profit the team generated from playing in soccer's quadrennial championship.
Goalkeeper Kelvin Jack said he and 15 of his teammates had filed a complaint against the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation seeking at least half of the profit earned.
The government has declined to release that figure. Officials say the federation made US$28 million (€18 million) from the World Cup. The federation has declined to comment.
The complaint originally was registered in Trinidad, but then moved to England — where many of the players play their club soccer — after both sides agreed to arbitration.
Jack was one of four players who testified during last month's hearings. He told The Associated Press Thursday that he considered the ruling a victory.
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"We still have some ways to go," he said. "This is no longer about the money, but about principle and respect."
He said a judge will decide in June how much each player will receive.
Trinidad became the smallest nation to play in the World Cup when it qualified for the 2006 championship in Germany. It was eliminated in the first round and finished last in its group but not before holding Sweden to a 0-0 draw and allowing two goals in the final seven minutes to lose to England 2-0.
Trinidad players to get disputed payment
The Associated Press
Published: May 21, 2008
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad: A London arbitrator ruled that a group of soccer players from Trinidad and Tobago is entitled to profits from the team's 2006 World Cup appearance.
Soccer player Kelvin Jack said he and 15 other players had filed a complaint against the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation seeking at least 50 percent of net profits earned.
The government has declined to release that figure. Government officials said the federation received $28 million in gross profits. Federation spokesman Shaun Fuentes declined to comment.
The complaint originally was registered in Trinidad and Tobago, but moved to England — where many of the players play their club soccer — after both sides agreed to arbitration and was decided by Ian Mill.
Jack was one of four players who testified during last month's hearings. He told The Associated Press on Thursday that he considered the ruling a victory.
He said a judge will decide in June how much each player will receive.
Trinidad told to pay up
UK Guardian
Shaka Hislop, Stern John and Kenwyne Jones have won a first victory of their close season after an arbitration ruling found that the Trinidad & Tobago Football Federation should pay its 2006 World Cup squad 50% of net profits in accordance with pre-tournament promises. The verdict, which is subject to a confidentiality clause, was leaked to the Trinidad Guardian on Monday after a hearing in London last month but the players must now establish what the TTFF generated from their participation. They have contended that it raised tens of millions of pounds through sponsorship and government grants.
