Theres a lot going on at the moment in T&T football. Clearly, politics is playing a part in the events of the last few weeks. My question is: Who is pulling the strings?
The retirement from football of Jack Warner was always going to leave a void. But one wonders how much influence he is still having. The decision by his son, Daryll, to withdraw Joe Public from the Pro League is one example. Allegedly, this is due to the Pro League owing prize money to the club. However, all club owners and officials are aware that financial decisions are made to benefit the league, in order to provide a competition for the clubs. Apparently, funds due from the government, possibly via SPORTT, have not yet materialised, but will be coming. Therefore, the clubs voted to postpone prize money awards to allow the league to continue. So, the withdrawal of Joe Public on those grounds is surprising. It has also been made known that several players contracted to Joe Public have been told they can stay, and possibly play with the Super League outfit, so its possible the club will still have to pay maybe $300,000 in wages this year, yet generate no income. And why decide now? Why wait until fixtures have been released?
Then we see the sudden withdrawal of Keith Look Loys secondment by the Prisons Sports Club of his attempt to take control of the Eastern League. Why agree, then with less than two weeks until the vote, suddenly withdraw? Unless the election can be rearranged, Look Loy now cannot stand, as candidates must apply at least 14 days before the election.
The timing of these two events are at best, suspicious.
Another shock yesterday was the announcement that QPFC are being disbanded and Mr Fackery will now be competing as St Anns Rangers once again. On the surface, this doesn't seem political. Apparently, Terry Fenwick was supposed to pay a lump sum to Fackery as part of the agreement to merge the entities. So, Fenwick obviously failed to secure the funding. But anyone who knows Fenwick will know he doesn't commit to tasks he cannot follow through, particularly one that has attracted so much publicity. Also, you would believe that the old school ties down at the oval will be spitting feathers to see their club involved in such mismanagement. My feeling is that whoever was funding this venture either had no intention of parting with money, or, more likely, was warned away by someone more influential.
Then of course we had the embarrassment of the cancelled game against Haiti followed by the announcement that TTFF were going to have a meeting to implement a sponsorship campaign.
Lo and behold, a week later up steps ALLSPORT and Anil Roberts with a very defined package, including sponsors! Now, its entirely possible that TTFF are geniuses and contacted Tony Harford with a tempting deal. Hartford then sat down with his team, drew up a proposal and approached sponsors, who immediately said yes and signed contracts, obtained a meeting with Anil Roberts, who carefully studied the plans, maybe making some suggestions and alterations and then arranged a media launch.
Trust me, things don't work that quickly in Trinidad. So was it all stage managed? Haiti game cancelled and ALL SPORT coming to the rescue. Roberts shouting no money for football, then giving it to a 3rd party? Methinks this was all set in place way before the cancelled Haiti match.
I have no evidence that Mr Warner is influencing these matters, but, as in the Wizard of Oz, all roads seem to lead to the Emerald Palace, or in this case, the Emerald Hotel. And remember, the Wizard was just a little guy hiding behind the scenes, pulling all the strings.
I don't know what Mr Warners motives are, if indeed he is involved. Trying to weaken the Pro League so it goes bust and the Super League goes professional, blocking Look Loy from implementing change and keeping his partners in the East in place, thus protecting Camps & Co and protecting the TTFF secrets, manoevering his boy Harford into the LOC role that was Jacks domain back in 06?
All in all, as a wise man once said, if it looks like a dog and barks like a dog, it probably is a dog. And a clever dog at that.