------- Forgiving EVE !!!!!-------
There will never be a good time, for harsh decisions. In fact, in life, there is possibly never a good time to take decisions that will adversely affect someone or the other. There is never the perfect time that will please all. As there will always be some amount of discontentment from those affected adversely by a decision or an incident.
Therefore for Angus Eve , a man I have a lot of time for as a football coach to say , that the time is not right for the Soca Warriors of 2006 to enforce their legally binding action against an errant Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) is both immature and unbecoming of someone in his position. As we speak, Eve is still (and only just if you believe some of the facts from 2011 when certain elements in the very same Football Federation wanted to remove him forthwith) our national Under 23 Football Coach and by all accounts and given the requisite assistance, by the performance of the team, certainly doing a good job inspiring these youngsters to believe in themselves.
I am just afraid that he has sadly become embroiled in politics by talking now ahead of his time, he should have said nothing and just continue his job as national coach, instead he has whether he likes it or not, whether he thought it out or not, he has aligned himself as a supporter of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation and possibly and this is the sad and distasteful part, Eve may now be considered by some as condoning the behavior of the TTFF. Incidentally , please do not say , they are his employers , so he must not only support them but also follow their directive , because I am clear in my mind , that Eve knows better than to take such an order from the TTFF , at this time. This has to have been his call, because he is very passionate coach and cares for his players, but I believe he has made a calculated error in his statements on the matter to date.
Trinidad and Tobago’s football brain power is limited and to –lash out – at some of those who have rightfully spoken out against the deeds of the TTFF in such a manner is not good for Eve’s future in the sport, post the Under 23 team, that is why if I was his advisor, I would have told him in his current position, silence is golden. Otherwise, why is it that I did not hear Angus attack the TTFF for making the changes to some of the management team ahead of the Olympic Qualifiers in the coming months? There was no statement on record, no press release, no public recordings of his dissatisfaction with the removal of the then manager Norris Ferguson, with his replacement William Wallace of cricketing fame assuming the new role to the bemusement of all. To me, and many others, that was more of a critical issue, as the former manager was not only knowledgeable about and around the affairs of the Under 23 players, but also well respected by them as well, and Ferguson’s removal is open to more questions because he was supportive of Keith Look Loy, against the acting President of the TTFF, Lennox Watson in the Eastern Football Association elections.
In life, we must pick our battles and try to be fair in our analysis, already many are now questioning the integrity of Angus Eve and this wrong, because I honestly believe he has the best intentions for the team and ultimately wants Trinidad and Tobago to qualify for the London Olympics. At the same time, like any human being in a competitive job market, such as football coaching, he has clearly identified that this is also a great opportunity to market and promote him and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. And it is for that very reason, that I will again advise Angus to be careful not to burn bridges to please others, who may or may not care about your future.
Now, there are many that are saying that Angus has been misquoted and that this interview originated from the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation Media Officer – Shaun Fuentes - . And yes, while the latter is true, I have the utmost belief that Shaun Fuentes will only write what was said to him and also Shaun is a man known for recording his interviews, so let us all stop trying to pass the buck. Angus Eve made a mistake ….one which in time he will regret , but which for the moment he must attempt to fix, because he is about to derail the Under 23 team in their focus , if he accidently or intentionally alienates former coaches and players who like him have contributed severely to the sport of football in this country.
Perhaps this quote below, accredited to Angus Eve best describes how myopic, his thinking is or was (just maybe it has changed given time since stated)… “It’s not the right way to go by hoping FIFA steps in and this results in Trinidad and Tobago being asked to drop out of the international tournaments. We are talking about players who have worked very hard for over a year now to get this opportunity and if it is that the TTFF can facilitate this venture and the Ministry of Sport is supporting it, then by all means the program should go on…….I’m not saying this just because I am the coach of the team. Nothing is perfect and of course we want to see positive change but we should not take out two (Olympic team and U-17 Women’s team) of the shining lights in our football now because certain people just care about overhauling a TTFF organization,” he said.
“If this happens in terms of the programs ending, then we will have a next generation of players casting blame on the same past coaches and players for preventing them from playing international football. We’ve all been through this at some point but we had the chance to still pursue careers through football or by having the opportunity to play in a tournament,” added the ex-national captain Eve in the media release from the TTFF.
In the quotes above attributed to Angus Eve from the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation release , there are several assumptions made by Eve , that can be termed perplexing , because , here he is talking about an institution, which he admits , he and others have always faced difficulties ‘” We have all been through this at some point…” , and then he says of the current players ,” We are talking about players who have worked very hard for over a year now to get this opportunity..” Therefore are we to believe that Angus is equating all those many years of suffering by players without a players representation committee, without proper pay, without proper systems, without any after care for retired players to the fact that these under 23 players have been training for a year, if that is so then Angus has been inhaling too much of the rare air at the Football Federation, the kind that the least concerned environmental agencies would object too.
Angus also needs to be careful of those he is seen associating with and supporting; presently the incumbent and embattled Sports Minister Anil Roberts (Ask Anilllll!!!!!) is not very popular in sporting circles and even out of sporting circles, given many of the continued ills in the sports. If you add the ongoing investigation by the Integrity Commission to the Boxing matters involving Boxu Potts, Ashwin Creed and himself to the wrangling with cricket and athletics, one could believe it is better to stay as far away as possible from this particular minister. Last week’s decision by the esteemed and highly knowledgeable First Citizens Sports Foundation to select the athletic Association of Trinidad and Tobago (NAAA), as the best run sports organization in this country for the second consecutive year, speaks volume to the Ephraim Serrette run administration, which must leave the current Minister embarrassed.
“Let the boys at least get to play and if things can happen after that can mean betterment for Federation, then at least they would have been given an equal or fair opportunity. “Says Angus Eve.
When I read this , I wonder of Angus finally got it right and that he was talking about thirteen men who were still brave enough and strong enough to fight for something which every single court locally and internationally believes they are entitled . Because his words are correct, as these Soca warriors who have been battling and representing their country for much longer than these Under 23 players were not given “an equal or fair opportunity”.
Also let me address a misconception , which is that a verbal agreement /oral declaration is now recognizable by law and the courts have so stated that the players are owed a lot more than they have received so far and therefore , why should they not fight for it. As it will set a great example to any and all organizations in the Caribbean that you cannot simply make a commitment and then break your “trust” with the players. Oh and by the way , this case is not sub judice , it has indeed been long decided , but then again not everyone that talks about law or lives in a home with law material can read and understand it.
So while our football continues to be in turmoil administratively, let us hope those that can will forgive Angus Eve for his remarks and that he and the team can move on from this. I just hope all of his comments do not return to haunt him and the team in the short term.
:: AB
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