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Offline SWF Reporter

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Belizean bacchanal: Frustrated Warriors force venue change
« on: March 20, 2013, 10:42:00 PM »
Belizean bacchanal: Frustrated Warriors force Belize venue change
By Lasana Liburd (Wired868)


Financial wrangling, distrust, an airline booking hiccup, lost baggage, an inadequate playing surface, an abrupt re-scheduling; you name it.

At this rate, the Trinidad and Tobago national football team will be mentally drained before it takes the field for a friendly international fixture against Belize from 10 pm (8 pm Belize time) at the FFB Stadium in Belmopan on Saturday evening.

The venue for the friendly contest, the FFB Stadium is the only FIFA-approved venue in the Central American country and was constructed with $8.3 million (US$1.3 million) from the FIFA Goal programme. But local radio station LOVE FM will hosting its annual Bandfest there tomorrow; so the likes of Stoke City forward Kenwyne Jones and North East Stars striker Cornell Glen were initially ordered to play at the MCC instead.

The MCC ground was so inadequate that the “Soca Warriors” refused to complete a training session on it and walked off after 40 minutes this afternoon.

Two Trinidad and Tobago players, who spoke to Wired868 from Belize this evening, said the players were considering boycotting the match if the Football Federation of Belize (FFB) did not change the venue.

The FFB retorted that it would water the ground and its president, Ruperto Vicente, was defiant in public as he claimed the federation stood to raise more money by playing the Warriors in Belize City.

“Before we discussed the international match with Trinidad, we had engaged the stadium to the organizers of the Band Fest,” the FFB president told Channel 7 Belize news, on Tuesday. “…When we got the game with Trinidad, we were saying that we decided that the best venue for this game would have been Belize City. It is about looking to raise more funds (…) to maintain our national team.”

But tonight, after the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) backed its players’ stance, Wired868 was informed that the FFB relented and confirmed the venue switch. The two events are expected to share the venue now.

Nothing has come easy for the Warriors of late and the players have been in constant crisis mode over the past three days as a series of mishaps have frustrated their two-game tour, which should feature warm-up matches against Belize on March 22 and Peru on March 26.

The Warriors would be relieved by the TTFF’s support but the relationship between players and staff allegedly remains strained.

The players were incensed on Monday when their team management informed them that they would only receive match fees and per diems when they returned to Trinidad after the overseas games.

Twenty Warriors, including nine players on this tour, are already owed roughly $7,000 each for their part in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) qualifying series last October and are fed up of broken promises. The squad refused to budge without a guarantee that players would be paid during the tour.

A late compromise between the TTFF and the Sport Ministry persuaded the players to leave for Belize on Tuesday. But, once in Belize City, the Warriors were allegedly informed yesterday that the Trinidad and Tobago government did not provide enough money to cover all match fees.

An offer was supposedly made to pay the foreign-based players immediately while the home-based players would receive their fees on their return to Trinidad. Predictably, that news did not go down well with the squad and some Warriors accused the technical staff of dishonesty.

There were other issues that added to the feeling of unease.

Both players who spoke to Wired868 claimed that there was no booking for the Warriors when they got to Miami and it took a last ditch intervention from TTFF president Raymond Tim Kee to get a connecting flight.

Three players, Port Vale midfielder Chris Birchall, FC Edmonton defender Carlyle Mitchell and DIRECTV W Connection defender Daneil Cyrus, then arrived in Belize without their luggage due to an airline error.

It took several hours before the trio had the comfort of clean underwear and their football boots for training.

Training, of course, did not last long for aforementioned reasons.

“We thought things would get better after we qualified for the Gold Cup,” said one Warrior, who asked to remain anonymous. “But it feels as if things are getting worse.”

Last year, in-fighting between the TTFF and Sport Minister Anil Roberts meant a barrage of financial problems for the Warriors who had to scrap practise matches and even pooled their own money for laundry and extra meals during the preliminary qualifying round. The players were marooned too by Tropical Storm Rafael in St Kitts.

2013 has not started much better with the latest bout of bacchanal in Belize and the likes of Jones, Birchall, Glen and Neal & Massy Caledonia AIA midfielder Densill Theobald might be reminiscing on how far Trinidad and Tobago has fallen since their historic appearance at the Germany World Cup, seven years ago.

These days, the Warriors have to fight tooth and nail to get a proper field, their own luggage and match fees that are less than a quarter of the rate it was when Dwight Yorke was national captain.

Joint head coaches Hutson “Barber” Charles and Jamaal Shabazz will hope the players have enough mental fortitude in reserve to see off their Belizean opponents in less than 48 hours.

« Last Edit: March 24, 2013, 06:52:42 PM by Flex »

Offline elan

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Re: Belizean bacchanal: Frustrated Warriors force venue change
« Reply #1 on: March 20, 2013, 10:51:20 PM »
So TTFF organize match and did not include the playing venue? (this is how it sounds from the quote from the Belize people).

Belizean bacchanal: Frustrated Warriors force Belize venue change
By Lasana Liburd (Wired868)


“Before we discussed the international match with Trinidad, we had engaged the stadium to the organizers of the Band Fest,” the FFB president told Channel 7 Belize news, on Tuesday. “…When we got the game with Trinidad, we were saying that we decided that the best venue for this game would have been Belize City. It is about looking to raise more funds (…) to maintain our national team.”
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Offline tempo

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Re: Belizean bacchanal: Frustrated Warriors force venue change
« Reply #2 on: March 21, 2013, 12:01:16 AM »
So TTFF organize match and did not include the playing venue? (this is how it sounds from the quote from the Belize people).

Belizean bacchanal: Frustrated Warriors force Belize venue change

Don't think this match is a TTFF match, it would be hosted by Belize. Refreshing to see the players were supported.

Offline asylumseeker

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Re: Belizean bacchanal: Frustrated Warriors force venue change
« Reply #3 on: March 21, 2013, 04:51:56 AM »
Quote
“Before we discussed the international match with Trinidad, we had engaged the stadium to the organizers of the Band Fest,” the FFB president told Channel 7 Belize news, on Tuesday. “…When we got the game with Trinidad, we were saying that we decided that the best venue for this game would have been Belize City. It is about looking to raise more funds (…) to maintain our national team.”

Ball dropped on both sides (as they were seeking to accommodate each other), but FFB has an especial burden here as the hosts (despite them only acquiring that role a few days ago).

Belize City used to be a hive of activity compared to Belmopan, despite Belmopan being the capital. I recall when there was only one place visitors could stay in Belmopan. It was decent accommodation, but it couldn't fairly be said to be a "hotel". Things have changed significantly.

Similarly, it's not like there is an abundance of field options, so I think Vicente had Belize City in mind because that's what he had to have in mind, and didn't account for the fact that we would actually care where we played.
« Last Edit: March 21, 2013, 05:12:35 AM by asylumseeker »

Offline just cool

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Re: Belizean bacchanal: Frustrated Warriors force venue change
« Reply #4 on: March 21, 2013, 05:53:25 AM »
They must lose luggage and have flight trouble, they went and remove the wallace guy and reinstate this david muhammad fella,

and mind you, wallace was doing ah damn good job, but nonetheless this was his reward for doing a good job, replacing him for this rachifee worker!   stueepppsssss!!
The pen is mightier than the sword, Africa for Africans home and abroad.Trinidad is not my home just a pit stop, Africa is my destination,final destination the MOST HIGH.

Offline de_redman

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Re: Belizean bacchanal: Frustrated Warriors force venue change
« Reply #5 on: March 21, 2013, 06:05:54 AM »
MCC Grounds, Belize City






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Offline Flex

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Re: Belizean bacchanal: Frustrated Warriors force venue change
« Reply #7 on: March 21, 2013, 06:14:24 AM »
Belize federation changes game to better venue.
By Shaun Fuentes (TTFF).


Trinidad and Tobago’s National Team announced on Wednesday that it would not take the field for Saturday’s friendly international against Belize at the MCC Grounds because of the shambolic conditions of the venue.

This decision forced the Belize Football Federation to hold an emergency meeting late on Wednesday evening which resulted in a decision to shift the game to the FFB Stadium in Belmopan to Saturday at 8pm (10pm T&T time).

The venue was used for T&T's previous friendly in Belize in 2010. Initially it was in fact the venue for the encounter before the FFB made the switch to accommodate a local Bandfest show. Fans will now have the chance to enjoy both events on the evening. Click here for photos

The stance taken by the T&T players and staff was supported by TTFF President Raymond Tim Kee on Wednesday. After roughly 40 minutes of training at the MCC Grounds, a stone’s throw away from the Princess Hotel where the T&T team is based, head coach Hutson Charles was forced to call off the session because of the poor field conditions.

Charles immediately stated that his team would not hold another session on the ground nor would they play the match on Saturday. The venue consisted of no dressing rooms and inadequate fencing from the general public as well as poor lighting even though the FFB scheduled the game for a 7:30pm kick off.  Daylight usually goes until 6:30 pm here in Belize.

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Offline just cool

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Re: Belizean bacchanal: Frustrated Warriors force venue change
« Reply #8 on: March 21, 2013, 06:22:38 AM »
Dem ppl not serious bout football!! that's the best pitch they have?? stuueeepppssss!

no wonder this is their first gold cup appearance in a region where only two team does fail to make it to the gold cup. unlike us who have about three rounds of qualification and only get four spot to their five spots with only seven teams in their region.
« Last Edit: March 21, 2013, 06:28:37 AM by just cool »
The pen is mightier than the sword, Africa for Africans home and abroad.Trinidad is not my home just a pit stop, Africa is my destination,final destination the MOST HIGH.

Offline asylumseeker

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Re: Belizean bacchanal: Frustrated Warriors force venue change
« Reply #9 on: March 21, 2013, 06:26:37 AM »
When I think of players like Birchie returning to the NT after previous exposure and overexposure to shenanigans and incompetence ... to have to deal with this ... I could only shake my head. We've had unrivaled comedy and tragedy over the years. Ah feel sorry for the entire TT contingent. We need an abrupt U-turn to get our act together.


Offline just cool

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Re: Belizean bacchanal: Frustrated Warriors force venue change
« Reply #10 on: March 21, 2013, 06:31:13 AM »
I still say it's david muhammad's fault.

the team manager is the one to check out all thee things before the team travels or even consider a match under such circumstances.
The pen is mightier than the sword, Africa for Africans home and abroad.Trinidad is not my home just a pit stop, Africa is my destination,final destination the MOST HIGH.

Offline asylumseeker

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Re: Belizean bacchanal: Frustrated Warriors force venue change
« Reply #11 on: March 21, 2013, 06:47:04 AM »
Dem ppl not serious bout football!! that's the best pitch they have?? stuueeepppssss!

no wonder this is their first gold cup appearance in a region where only two team does fail to make it to the gold cup. unlike us who have about three rounds of qualification and only get four spot to their five spots with only six teams in their region.

This is emblematic of why Sherrier Lewis quit as their coach. He wanted the FFB to step up their game and well ... the rest is history.

On the other hand, let's put things in perspective ... Belize gained independence from the Crown in 1981. It has a legacy of infrastructural challenges. Belizeans are hospitable, genial people ... but the Brits left that place with a minimal infrastructural base. From the time I arrived at the airport, I knew it was going to be intriguing. Can't recall if there was a conveyor belt operational.

There was the paradox of a full flight of passengers barely able to fit into the arrival terminal. Literally some of us were squeezing out the door ... and that was with people sideways.

Parts of the country (going into Placencia for example) had no paved roads ... They were functional roads carved out of the orangish brown terrain and the public buses were former American schoolbuses.

Offline Tallman

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"Soca Warriors" won’t play on MCC pitch
« Reply #12 on: March 21, 2013, 07:21:22 AM »
"Soca Warriors" won’t play on MCC pitch
7newsbelize.com


There's trouble in the football world tonight as Trinidad and Tobago's National Football Team, the Soca Warriors won't play on the MCC Pitch. That's because they say the field is in bad condition and they risk injury to their team - which, as we noted last night - includes a number of international players who are on contract in Europe and the USA.

The background to this is that the game will be played at the MCC because on Saturday, the only FIFA approved field in Belize at the FFB Stadium in Belmopan will be used for the LOVE FM Bandfest. That's a controversy all unto itself, but now it has avalanched into something much bigger - the threat of the cancellation of an international friendly and a major warm up match for the Belize Team in the run-up to the Gold Cup.

Daniel Ortiz went to the team's first workout at the MCC today and found out from the Trinidad Football Team Captain and the Trinidad Football Federation representative what the problem is:

Densill Theobald - Captain, Trinidad "Soca Warriors"
"From a player's perspective, we are utterly disappointed in this stadium, or this grounds - if you want to put it this way. It's definitely unfit for an international game, much less an international friendly. Belize is also in preparation just like us for the Gold Cup, and I don't see this field being fit for us to play on. We make a stance that we're not going to to play here, at no course whatsoever."

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Offline asylumseeker

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Re: Belizean bacchanal: Frustrated Warriors force venue change
« Reply #13 on: March 21, 2013, 07:35:44 AM »
Quote
We must note that while he's taken that position on the MCC, he's allowing Bandfest to continue at the FFB Stadium. But, in his defence, he has stated that the Bandfest decision was made long before the possibility of the international friendly's came up.

Dahis it right dey ...  Lol.

Yuh think El Salvador dealing with any drama akin to this as they prep for Ecuador? Steups.

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Re: Belizean bacchanal: Frustrated Warriors force venue change
« Reply #14 on: March 21, 2013, 09:56:14 AM »
When will we learn?

Lil boys running we football. A lil girl running D country. . .
Socawarriors Need A Winning Mentality

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Re: Belizean bacchanal: Frustrated Warriors force venue change
« Reply #15 on: March 21, 2013, 09:58:59 AM »
When will we learn?

Lil boys running we football. A lil girl running D country. . .

... and a big tief.

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Re: Belizean bacchanal: Frustrated Warriors force venue change
« Reply #16 on: March 21, 2013, 10:37:46 AM »
When will we learn?

Lil boys running we football. A lil girl running D country. . .

... and a big tief.

Yep

Dey go hol' him one day soon--He ain' go get away forever.
Socawarriors Need A Winning Mentality

 

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