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Author Topic: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association  (Read 21912 times)

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Offline Tallman

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #30 on: September 25, 2020, 03:21:12 PM »
WATCH: SportsMax Zone discusses FIFA's suspension of Trinidad and Tobago. Guests include David Nakhid (former T&T captain and current Opposition Senator), Anil Roberts (former Minister of Sport and current Opposition Senator), Osmond Downer (VP of the Referees Association and one of the framers of the TTFA constitution), and Brent Sancho (former Minister of Sport and current Acting Chairman of the T&T Pro League)

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/xF-xwkwm3PU" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/xF-xwkwm3PU</a>
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Offline Tallman

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #31 on: September 25, 2020, 03:33:48 PM »
'FIFA owns football' - Former sports minister Roberts laments fact that TTFA fought unrealistic, 'losing war'
sportsmax.tv


Former Trinidad and Tobago Minister of Sports Anil Roberts has lamented what he classifies to be a cause that was destined to be ‘a losing battle’ in wake of FIFA’s recent suspension of the TTFA from world football.

FIFA and the TTFA have been locked in a bitter dispute since March of this year, when the global football governing body appointed a normalisation committee to take over the affairs of the nation’s football, after dissolving the board.  The then four-month-old William Wallace-led executive rejected the move and refused to recognize the committee, framing the actions as an infringement on the country’s sovereignty.

In its letter, however, FIFA pointed to article 8 paragraph 2 of the FIFA Statutes, as giving them the right to appoint a normalisation committee.  The Wallace-led coalition then opted to take the case to the CAS before having issues with the cost of presenting the case and suggesting any ruling would have been biased towards FIFA.  The body instead opted to take the case before the Trinidad and Tobago High Court, a move also prohibited by the FIFA statutes.  In announcing the decision to suspend Trinidad and Tobago from international football on Thursday, FIFA pointed to violations of article 59, which states that;

“Recourse to ordinary courts of law is prohibited unless specifically provided for in the FIFA regulations. Recourse to ordinary courts of law for all types of provisional measures is also prohibited.”

According to Roberts, even if one were to submit to the fact that every argument made by the ousted TTFA officials were correct, they ignored a certain reality.

“There was no other outcome.  So, let us pretend that the TTFA was absolutely right.  Every argument they made, FIFA was being high handed, their decisions were wrong, they were using their power to suppress and oppress Trinidad and Tobago and its organisation.  Every argument was correct.  You still could not win, because the idea is you want to play football and FIFA controls football,” Roberts said in an exclusive interview with the SportsMax Zone.

Since 2003, FIFA has suspended around 24 countries for various disputes and violations of its statutes.  Antigua and Barbuda are the only other Caribbean country suspended during the period.

“FIFA owns football.  Everything we want as a country, as a territory, they control.  Whether it is through their World Cup male and female tournaments or their junior age-group World Cups.  Whether its through their ability to control club football, world club football, Champions League, CONCACAF Gold Cup, opportunities for our young players to get contracts…So this was a losing war from the onset.”
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Offline pull stones

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #32 on: September 25, 2020, 04:06:30 PM »
'FIFA owns football' - Former sports minister Roberts laments fact that TTFA fought unrealistic, 'losing war'
sportsmax.tv


Former Trinidad and Tobago Minister of Sports Anil Roberts has lamented what he classifies to be a cause that was destined to be ‘a losing battle’ in wake of FIFA’s recent suspension of the TTFA from world football.

FIFA and the TTFA have been locked in a bitter dispute since March of this year, when the global football governing body appointed a normalisation committee to take over the affairs of the nation’s football, after dissolving the board.  The then four-month-old William Wallace-led executive rejected the move and refused to recognize the committee, framing the actions as an infringement on the country’s sovereignty.

In its letter, however, FIFA pointed to article 8 paragraph 2 of the FIFA Statutes, as giving them the right to appoint a normalisation committee.  The Wallace-led coalition then opted to take the case to the CAS before having issues with the cost of presenting the case and suggesting any ruling would have been biased towards FIFA.  The body instead opted to take the case before the Trinidad and Tobago High Court, a move also prohibited by the FIFA statutes.  In announcing the decision to suspend Trinidad and Tobago from international football on Thursday, FIFA pointed to violations of article 59, which states that;

“Recourse to ordinary courts of law is prohibited unless specifically provided for in the FIFA regulations. Recourse to ordinary courts of law for all types of provisional measures is also prohibited.”

According to Roberts, even if one were to submit to the fact that every argument made by the ousted TTFA officials were correct, they ignored a certain reality.

“There was no other outcome.  So, let us pretend that the TTFA was absolutely right.  Every argument they made, FIFA was being high handed, their decisions were wrong, they were using their power to suppress and oppress Trinidad and Tobago and its organisation.  Every argument was correct.  You still could not win, because the idea is you want to play football and FIFA controls football,” Roberts said in an exclusive interview with the SportsMax Zone.

Since 2003, FIFA has suspended around 24 countries for various disputes and violations of its statutes.  Antigua and Barbuda are the only other Caribbean country suspended during the period.

“FIFA owns football.  Everything we want as a country, as a territory, they control.  Whether it is through their World Cup male and female tournaments or their junior age-group World Cups.  Whether its through their ability to control club football, world club football, Champions League, CONCACAF Gold Cup, opportunities for our young players to get contracts…So this was a losing war from the onset.”
this loud mouth jackass. tell us something we don’t know bright boy.

Offline gawd on pitch

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #33 on: September 25, 2020, 04:41:08 PM »
The only ammunition that Wallace has to fight FIFA is if DJW get charged and/or Bassant get more evidence of corruption. If that happen, he might be able to prove that his removal was to hide corruption. It would be even better if Bassant come out with more damning evidence that shows Infantino and Mosengo had knowledge of the DJW deals. . Hopefully before this goes to the CAS.

For Wallace to go to the CAS now, he must have something in he back pocket. Because at this point now, he can't expect to carry a knife into a gun fight. .

Offline asylumseeker

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #34 on: September 25, 2020, 06:32:07 PM »
The only ammunition that Wallace has to fight FIFA is if DJW get charged and/or Bassant get more evidence of corruption. If that happen, he might be able to prove that his removal was to hide corruption. It would be even better if Bassant come out with more damning evidence that shows Infantino and Mosengo had knowledge of the DJW deals. . Hopefully before this goes to the CAS.

For Wallace to go to the CAS now, he must have something in he back pocket. Because at this point now, he can't expect to carry a knife into a gun fight. .

Well, at the moment he's going to CAS with a cardboard placard that reads 'We've been wronged, both procedurally and substantively.' No knife or other presumably sharp instrument other than his elbows. He's covered more ground with the placard and elbows than many imagined.

Achieving definition regarding any supposed and alleged criminal conduct by the former president is not going to be conclusive in this matter. And, even if it would be helpful or conclusive, that matter is not going to be operating on the same acceleration as this matter. Although, it would be interesting if we chipped in and gifted DJW a trip to Panama or Caracas for Xmas.
« Last Edit: September 25, 2020, 06:37:31 PM by asylumseeker »

Offline Flex

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #35 on: September 26, 2020, 12:30:14 AM »
Wallace, TTFA resume FIFA battle.
By Walter Alibey (Guardian).


T&T Football Association’s (TTFA) fight with football’s world governing body-FIFA, is far from over.

Following on the heels of a FIFA suspension on Thursday evening, William Wallace, the leader of the TTFA instructed his Attorneys to file an emergency appeal in the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) to contest the suspension. And they have also withdrawn the withdrawal documents that ordered the stoppage of the TTFA vs FIFA case, which now means the TTFA will go ahead with the court matter against the FIFA in the High Court on October 9.

Wallace and his team, which has been reduced from six to five with the resignation of Susan Joseph-Warrick yesterday as second vice president at the TTFA, as the president of the Women’s League Football (WoLF) and from the TTFA Board, have been disappointed with FIFA which slapped a suspension on the TTFA, although the TTFA on Wednesday, had already filed documentation in the High Court to drop the court action with FIFA, which was a condition to prevent them from being banned. But the TTFA missed the stipulated 3 pm time and no notice was given to FIFA on the status of the matter.

TTFA has been in a tussle with the FIFA since March 17, when its elected executive was removed and ten days later replaced by a FIFA-appointment Normalisation Committee as the administrators of local football.

FIFA had on August 26 in a letter, warned the TTFA of sanctions if it did not drop the case against them by September 16. This was followed by another letter on September 18, giving the TTFA a revised deadline of September 23 to drop the case or face suspension.

Wallace said his lawyers were expected to serve the FIFA lawyers yesterday with a letter that the documents had been filed to drop the case, since Thursday was a holiday.

However, FIFA in a letter on Republic Day (September 24) told the TTFA it had been suspended with immediate effect and until further notice.

According to the FIFA, the suspension will only to be lifted if the TTFA recognise and accept the Normalisation Committee and if the TTFA statutes are in line with FIFA statutes.

Wallace responded yesterday with a letter that said: “It is also now clear that the decision to suspend the TTFA amidst the upcoming draw for the Gold Cup 2021 is meant to, amongst other things, provoke public furore against the properly and democratically elected executive of the TTFA. It is, for this reason, that last night (Thursday) I gave instructions to the TTFA Attorneys to file an emergency appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), challenging the sole issue of the suspension of TTFA in the face of illegal threats and coercive acts by FIFA.

“The attorneys were also asked to make an application for Injunctive Relief so that if successful this would allow T&T to participate in the Gold Cup draw carded for Monday 28th September 2020.”

However, a Concacaf released stated that T&T is included in Monday’s draw, but will be given until December 18, to comply with FIFA request or the country will be withdrawn from the tournament.

Meanwhile, Wallace said: “This morning (yesterday) and on my further instructions, the TTFA attorneys also filed the relevant documents to continue with the claim before the High Court of Justice since this is the only way that we can legitimise our application to CAS. The obvious question would be, why CAS?

“The answer is that the action taken against the TTFA is a disciplinary one and CAS is charged with dealing with such matters. It must also be noted that our only financial obligation in this matter is the filing fees.”

Wallace said the action FIFA was an indication that they were going to ban the TTFA whether the matter had been withdrawn or not, an action which against the principles of fair play which has been pushed by the FIFA.

RELATED NEWS

TTFA kicks up a storm after suspension
Ian Prescott (T&T Express).


Legal claim against FIFA reinstated

A DAY after submitting it, Trinidad & Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president William Wallace has rescinded a notice to withdraw a legal claim against football’s world governing body FIFA in the Trinidad and Tobago High Court.

Wallace’s attorney, Dr Emir Crowne, yesterday wrote FIFA and the Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) seeking a stay of execution of the decision to suspend Trinidad and Tobago from international football taken by the Bureau of the FIFA Council.

CAS’s head of arbitration, Antonio De Quesada, acknowledged receipt of Crowne’s letter.

“I acknowledge receipt of the urgent application for a stay of the decision rendered by the Bureau of the FIFA Council on 24 September 2020, filed by the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association,” Quesada stated.

“The application has been assigned to the Appeals Arbitration Division of the CAS. I note that the Applicant has requested a decision to be issued by Monday 28 September 2020 at 08h00 (2 a.m. local time) without giving any reason to justify such request.”

Wallace’s latest action came in response to FIFA’s suspension of Trinidad and Tobago from international football on Thursday’s Republic Day holiday.

The former TTFA executives had challenged FIFA’s decision to replace them with its own Normalisation Committee in March.

They took High Court action in defiance of FIFA’s statutes, which prohibit member associations from taking disputes to local courts and list suspension or expulsion as a consequence.

On Thursday, FIFA acted on an ultimatum sent from FIFA general secretary Fatma Samoura, who demanded that Wallace withdraw the matter by 3 p.m. on September 23 or the TTFA would be suspended.

New twist

As pressure from TTFA delegates mounted, Wallace’s United TTFA group filed a withdrawal application, but only after the deadline (3.02 p.m.) according to the stamp on the High Court document.

Wallace announced the new turn of events in a news release yesterday.

“This morning and on my further instructions, the TTFA attorneys also filed the relevant documents to continue with the claim before the High Court of Justice since this is the only way that we can legitimise our application to CAS,” Wallace stated.

At 7.38 a.m., attorney Jason Jones applied to the T&T Supreme Court registry to file notice of a discontinuation of the notice of application for permission to withdraw the claim, draft order and the affidavit which Wallace filed on September 23.

High Court judge, Justice Carol Gobin, will deliberate on the new motion when the matter begins on October 9.

FIFA has confirmed it will not submit a defence since it does not recognise the jurisdiction of the local court.

Wallace also explained the decision to return to the Switzerland-based CAS with a motion to suppress FIFA’s suspension.

“The obvious question would be, why CAS? The answer is that the action taken against the TTFA is a disciplinary one and CAS is charged with dealing with such matters. It must also be noted that our only financial obligation in this matter is the filing of fees.”

TTFA VP quits

With some TTFA board members already calling for his resignation, Wallace no longer has the support of one of his vice-presidents.

TTFA VP Susan Joseph-Warrick yesterday resigned, citing a breach of trust with her former United TTFA colleagues as she announced she had quit all her positions.

“Having consulted with our membership, we took the decision to give up our principled struggle for the future of Trinidad and Tobago football and moved for the withdrawal of court proceedings against FIFA.

“How and why these papers were filed after the 3 p.m. deadline is beyond me, and I am saddened and disappointed at the turn of events,” said Joseph-Warrick.

“As for me, I am done. I wish to advise of my resignation from the United TTFA, Trinidad and Tobago Women’s League Football (TT WoLF) and my elected post of second vice-president of the TTFA.”

Contacted for a response, Wallace argued that FIFA intended to take action.

“The lawyers have advised us not to speak. I just came from their office. We are doing a release.”

Wallace, in his statement at 5 p.m., maintained that the TTFA took steps to withdraw its High Court claim against FIFA.

“It is unfortunate that notwithstanding the TTFA having taken steps to withdraw the claim before our High Court, FIFA seemingly found it fit, fair and/or proper to not only take punitive steps against the TTFA but to introduce a new and further condition requiring the TTFA to ‘bring its own statutes into line with the FIFA statutes’.

“It is now clear however that FIFA intended to take punitive action against the TTFA regardless of whether or not steps were taken by the TTFA to withdraw and discontinue the claim before our High Court of Justice on the 23rd September 2020,” Wallace stated.

United TTFA returns to ‘biased’ CAS.
By Jonathan Ramnanansingh (Newsday).


UNITED TTFA, after previously questioning the impartiality of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland, has returned to the Swiss court to fight FIFA.

The ousted TT Football Association (TTFA) executive on Friday sought to withdraw its withdrawal of a lawsuit against FIFA in the TT High Court. The case is set to be heard by Justice Carol Gobin on October 9.

Although the sport’s global governing body indefinitely suspended the local fraternity on Thursday, ousted TTFA president William Wallace and his regime still believe their removal and appointment of a normalisation committee, by FIFA,was “illegal”.

Wallace’s team complied with FIFA’s request and withdrew their legal fight at 3:02pm on Wednesday – two minutes over the 3pm September 23 deadline set by the world body – to escape suspension proceedings. FIFA showed no leniency as United TTFA initially had until September 16 to withdraw but FIFA had given an extension.

United TTFA will now fight the FIFA suspension at CAS and, on Thursday night, “gave instructions to the TTFA attorneys to file an emergency appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), challenging the sole issue of suspension.”

This was revealed in a document issued by Wallace, accompanied by the TTFA letterhead, on Friday, which further stated, “The TTFA attorneys also filed the relevant documents to continue with the claim before the High Court of Justice (TT) since this is the only way that we can legitimise our application to CAS.”

Ironically, CAS was shunned upon by the removed administration during the early stages of this legal battle, as their attorneys Dr. Emir Crowne and Matthew Gayle claimed that a “number of irregularities have arisen, irregularities that have caused their clients to believe their right to a fair hearing has been impinged.”

After the appointment of the normalisation committee in March, Wallace’s team of Clynt Taylor, Susan Joseph-Warrick, and Joseph Sam Phillip, along with TT Super League president Keith Look Loy and Northern Football Association president Anthony Harford, took FIFA to CAS.

Twelve days later, the ejected administrators turned to the TT High Court in its fight, although, according to FIFA’s Statues, this matter was mandated to be heard at CAS.

United TTFA claimed CAS showed “bias” in favour of FIFA.

Look Loy said on Friday, “We filed an injunction at the CAS against the suspension. But to ensure we had legal standing to do so, we had to have a legal matter before the local courts. Had the case been withdrawn from the court, there would be no legal standing in the local high court.

“There would be no legal standing because they have no case before the court, which means they have accepted FIFA’s imposition of the normalisation committee. We do not accept this and thus had to withdraw the withdrawal application to file such an injunction against FIFA.”

Both Look Loy and Wallace claim the first application to withdraw was done after an informal meeting of TTFA’s membership voted, on Tuesday, to end the court action against FIFA. The count revealed 21 members for, eight against and three abstaining their vote.

“We put aside our political position and principles and abided by our member’s decision and submitted the said application to withdraw. By going ahead and banning TTFA, FIFA refused the wish of the TTFA membership. It was an absolutely harsh and nonsensical decision by FIFA because they got everything they asked for, whether two minutes late,” Look Loy added.

The FC Santa Rosa president believes, however, that FIFA “needed” to suspend the TTFA because of their action to challenge its global governance structure. According to him, if TTFA was not sanctioned or punished for challenging the sport’s governing body, other country associations would have also stood up against football’s bosses.

“Whether we submitted the application to withdraw or not, FIFA still wants to show us who the real boss is. Anywhere we go from here is as a result of FIFA’s refusal to accept our withdrawal,” he further stated.

Amidst the suspension and uncertainty of T&T’s football future, normalisation committee chairman Robert Hadad revealed, on Friday, that Concacaf held an “emergency meeting” hours prior stating that T&T will be included in the 2021 Gold Cup draw which is set to take place on September 28.

The Concacaf media release read, “However, they (T&T) will only participate in the competition if the suspension imposed on the TTFA is lifted by 5pm on December 18.”

If the ban is not lifted, T&T will be replaced by Antigua and Barbuda.

Strangely enough, Look Loy sees this move by the regional body as a positive sign going forward and called on football enthusiasts to remain fearless.

“Everybody in T&T could relax about the Gold Cup. Four hours after we lodged our case, Concacaf guaranteed we would be in Monday’s draw and would play in the tournament once the suspension is lifted before December 18.

“I assure you it will be lifted (suspension) because United TTFA, if we win, will call a meeting and let the membership decide if they want United TTFA or a normalisation committee. If they request the latter, we will invite FIFA to send one. They will have the authority to do that. But it will be all legal,” he noted.

In response to Joseph-Warrick’s surprising resignation as TT Women’s Football League (WoLF) president owing to FIFA’s decision to suspend TTFA, Look Loy holds no malice against his comrade.

Joseph-Warrick, in a letter disbursed on Friday morning, stated that, “it has become clear to me that we are also fighting against those that we represent: the associations, the clubs, the teams, supporters and sadly, the players.”

Look Loy said, “We love Susan and we would never hold her resignation against her. Every soldier knows how much and how long they could fight. We respect her decision and still embrace her. We have no problem with what she has done. There is no bacchanal in the United TTFA.”

From here, the ousted regime look forward to CAS’ response on their injunction and the October 9 TT High Court against FIFA.

“This could be over in two weeks,” Look Loy said.

« Last Edit: September 26, 2020, 12:39:58 AM by Flex »
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Offline Flex

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #36 on: September 26, 2020, 12:35:11 AM »
Eve: FIFA suspension 'a football pandemic'
By Jonathan Ramnanansingh (Newsday).


NATIONAL Under-17 football coach Angus Eve believes FIFA’s indefinite suspension of the TT Football Association (TTFA) has quelled the hopes, dreams and aspirations of local youth players striving to reach their highest potential.

The 48-year-old former national midfielder and captain shunned Thursday’s climax of a seven-month legal battle between the two entities and declared T&T’s future generation of footballing prospects as the fiasco’s biggest losers.

“It’s a football pandemic. Those who have us here in this position right now are killing the dreams of young people who envision themselves to represent their country in the beautiful game. People don’t know what to do. We’re unsure what comes next,” he said.

In a statement on its website, on Thursday, FIFA stated, “The suspension was prompted by the former leadership of the TTFA lodging a claim before the TT High Court in order to contest the decision of the FIFA Council to appoint a normalisation committee for the TTFA.”

In March, TTFA president William Wallace and his executive, who took office in November 2019, were removed by FIFA, due to the TTFA’s mounting debt, and a normalisation committee, headed by businessman Robert Hadad, was put in place to run the affairs of T&T football.

The ousted administration opted to contest FIFA’s decision in the local courts with FIFA firing back declaring the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) as the only legislated entity under its by-laws where such a matter could be heard.

Wallace and his United TTFA slate of Clynt Taylor, Susan Joseph-Warrick, Joseph Sam Phillip, as well as Keith Look Loy and Anthony Harford, had until 3 pm on Wednesday to withdraw its case.

The affidavit of Wallace in support of the application for permission to withdraw was sent in two minutes past the FIFA deadline thus resulting in T&T immediate suspension.

However, in a strange twist on Friday – just one day after FIFA sanctioned T&T, suspending it from international football – United TTFA sought to withdraw its withdrawal of its lawsuit against the FIFA.

“Now kids don’t have the opportunity to play at a national level may it be Under-13, Under-15 and so on. If you go into something, it’s because you want to perform at the highest level. But now the highest level has been taken away from you, when you didn’t even have a chance.

“T&T is now ranked at 104th on the FIFA Rankings. It’s traumatic for young people. Young people can’t go to school and are not being allowed to play sport due to coronavirus. All hopes of returning to national duty or working towards achieving such status is now out the window,” Eve said.

One month ago, the Naparima College and Club Sando (Pro League) coach led a contingent of over 30 national coaches to TTFA’s headquarters at Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva to query their non-payment of salaries for over six months.

In early September, coaches were allowed to individually meet with Hadad concerning their outstanding salaries. After their meetings, coaches expressed satisfaction with the responses from the normalisation committee chairman.

With regards to the TTFA’s suspension and the repercussions on their salary payment, Eve opted to maintain a positive mindset.

“I’m not going to be naive to think this (suspension) is not going to affect our payment of salaries. (The TTFA) don’t have money in the bank account to pay (coaches and players), and that’s the reality. We’re dependent on FIFA funding so they can pay and run programmes. If we don’t have FIFA funding, how does anything work?

“To be fair, those talks (with Hadad) have been always ongoing and they have never been suspended. Even with this suspension, Hadad reached out to us and said that it was still on course. I don’t know, if now, he’s been working behind the scenes if he can organise it for us and the players. The players haven’t been paid for about nine matches,” he said.

On Friday, Hadad said there may be a possibility T&T can compete in the 2021 Gold Cup.

In a media release, Concacaf said it held an “emergency meeting” on Thursday night and revealed that T&T will be included in the 2021 Gold Cup draw which is set to take place on September 28.

“However, they will only participate in the competition if the suspension imposed on the TTFA is lifted by 5 pm on December 18,” the release read.

If the ban is not lifted, T&T will be replaced by Antigua and Barbuda.

Eve continued, “FIFA was still a bit lenient by giving us a suspension. Still being selected for the Gold Cup is still benign from my standpoint. But beyond those dates, I think we will be banned and removed from those 2021 tournaments.”

The Under-17 coach admitted several other national coaches were also distraught with the suspension and had some choice words for those responsible.

Newsday also contacted national women’s football coach Richard Hood for a comment on the impact of FIFA’s suspension on T&T football but he responded, “To be honest, I’d rather not say anything about that at this time. I still have to gather my thoughts on it. I won’t make any comment at this point.”

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Offline pull stones

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #37 on: September 26, 2020, 02:19:09 AM »
Ok mr William Wallace you beginning to make my head spin now. one minute you’re fighting and the next minute you're surrendering, tell us feller which one is it? because you’re beginning to confuse the crap out of me.

in all honesty i believe if you don’t have a bomb to drop on fifa that would make them listen, then please step aside and leave the people with their football, I’m begging you. I’m actually beginning to believe that you don’t know what the f**k you’re doing, and I say this with a level of frustration in my voice.

it’s very clear that fifa would not budge on their position, so if you don’t have the resources to fight them in the arbitration for sport arena, then step aside and come again in two years nah boss, but from where I stand, it seems like your trying a thing and don’t really have an iron clad plan to achieve your goal. come on chief you have to know when you’re licked.

Offline Controversial

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #38 on: September 26, 2020, 02:28:56 AM »
The precedent has been set, people are missing the point of this stand off, Trinidad and Tobago is the only football federation in the world to stand up to fifa and take them to local court.

It sets a dangerous precedent that fifa would rather not deal with, meaning it gives power back to the people, back to people of color.

If you’re mind is enslaved and brainwashed you will be angered. This is one of the best moments in TT football, where they actually said no more. We will govern ourselves and control our football, neo colonialism is what you are supporting if you are against Wallace and what they did.

Revolutions can start with one man or one nation. This shows that fifa is what they always were, colonials allowing you to play within their enslaved system of governance.

Offline Flex

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #39 on: September 26, 2020, 06:46:12 AM »
FIFA nails TTFA’s coffin shut after Wallace and Look Loy posturing hits self destruct
By Paul Nicholson (Insideworldfootball).


FIFA’s patience with the former leadership of the Trinidad and Tobago FA (TTFA) has inevitably run out. The world governing body tonight suspended the TTFA “with immediate effect and until further notice”.

The announcement came following the failure of the former president William Wallace (pictured left) and his United TTFA co-conspirators – Clynt Taylor, Sam Phillip, Susan Joseph-Warrick and Keith Look Loy (pictured right) – to meet the FIFA deadline of 3pm yesterday to provide evidence that the claim against FIFA in the Trinidad and Tobago High Court had been withdrawn.

Wallace provided an affidavit two minutes after the September 23 deadline asking for the case to be withdrawn, but included in it multiple allegations that FIFA had coerced him and his colleagues into withdrawing. No judge would grant a withdrawal on that basis. Wallace was foolishly playing a game with Trinidad and Tobago football he was destined to lose.

Calling FIFA’s bluff in an attempt to regain power has proved to be playing Russian Roulette while wearing a suicide vest – you might dodge a bullet but there is still a big bang coming. There was only ever going to be one ending to this story and FIFA let them blow themselves up. Sadly they have taken the rest of Trinidad and Tobago football with them. Theirs is a football legacy like no other.

Never in the history of football administration has such a short-lived administrative tenure – just three months in their case – resulted in such apocalyptic damage to the footballing fabric and ambitions of a footballing nation.

In a letter to Normalisation Committee chairman Robert Hadad, FIFA general secretary Fatma Samoura outlined the reasons for suspension and the extensions to the deadlines they had been given to allow them time to withdraw the Trinidad High Court proceedings.

The response from Wallace and Look Loy in particular has been arrogant and contemptuous towards FIFA at every stage of the process. They believed that FIFA’s law did not apply to them and that the governing body’s money was their entitlement. An increasingly strident claim when they actually had decision-making power but drove the TTFA deeper into debt without any credible plan to resolve the crisis. Their arrogance and belief that they were the ‘real’ TTFA continued even in exile as they challenged FIFA in the Trinidad and Tobago  courts.

“The Bureau (FIFA’s top decision making body) was informed that the institution and maintenance of those proceedings by these individuals, purporting to act in the name of the TTFA, in complete disregard for the FIFA Statutes threatens the very stability of the structure of football governance, both in Trinidad and Tobago and globally,” said Samoura.

United TTFA had become not just an enemy of local football, it had become an enemy of world football and the laws that every other nation in the football world follows.

Samoura said the TTFA suspension will only be lifted when:

•The TTFA complies with the terms and conditions of its membership of FIFA as set out under the FIFA Statutes, including in particular Article 59 of the FIFA Statutes,

•The TTFA acknowledges and confirms FIFA’s power and authority to appoint a Normalisation Committee subject to the right of the TTFA to appeal such a decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport;

•The TTFA Statutes are amended to ensure that all type of disputes may only be submitted to the established dispute resolution forum at CAS

What this means immediately for the TTFA is that the opportunity to play in the US in the qualifying competition for the 2021 Gold Cup – where the country was pre-seeded – has been lost.

“.,. the TTFA will be deprived if all its rights as a member…neither the TTFA’s national teams nor its clubs will be allowed to participate in any international competitions. Additionally, this also means that TTFA and its members will not benefit from the FIFA or Concacaf financial/development programmes,” said Samoura’s letter.

Today is Republic Day in Trinidad and Tobago. On his social media Keith Look Loy has a poster saying that ‘I will celebrate Republic Day when FIFA leave my country’. FIFA has currently left, with its competitions, money and support – get the party started Keith, Wallace and the gang are on the way over. Most people would call that a wake.

RELATED NEWS

Rogue ex-TTFA bosses continue on course of destruction as they abuse member wishes with court affidavit.
By Paul Nicholson (Insideworldfootball).


September 24 – The ‘United TTFA’ missed the FIFA deadline by minutes to apply to withdraw their case against the world governing, but the rogue former TTFA officials look to have deliberately sabotaged the chances of getting a withdrawal by submitting within the affidavit by William Wallace statements that they have been “pressured” and “coerced” to withdraw.

A notice for a discontinuation of legal proceedings in Trinidad and Tobago is a short, brief affidavit. By introducing Wallace’s (pictured) longer and emotionally charged affidavit, they are setting up for ‘coercion to withdraw’, a basis on which a judge would be very unlikely grant a withdrawal of the case.

For the United TTFA it would effectively set up a hearing that would in turn give them more time to lobby FIFA member federations for support that has so far been non-existent. It appears a deliberate attempt to escalate the battle with FIFA rather than help move TTFA football forward.

It would unlikely halt the next stage of FIFA’s suspension proceedings, or investigation into the multiple irregularities surrounding Wallace and his regime.

In his affidavit Wallace says: “It is the case that the members of the Executive and myself, have been under immense public pressure to ‘withdraw’ the claim. This does not mean to suggest that there is not support for the action we have taken but people are afraid that if we do not withdraw the action, FIFA will take punitive steps against Trinidad and Tobago.”

What Wallace doesn’t say is that FIFA has no objection to his challenging of his, and his board’s, removal, but that it should be done in the globally accepted sports courts with independent arbitrators who are specialists in sports malfeasance and disputes. Wallace and the former chair of the TTFA technical committee Keith Look Loy vociferously chose to withdraw from that process, instead saying they had a better chance of success in the Trinidad and Tobago courts with local judges – in itself a strong argument for the existence of the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Wallace says that he has been advised by Counsel, Dr Emir Crowne, “that should any punitive action be taken by FIFA in respect of the membership of FIFA because the TTFA is engaged in a legitimate action before the Trinidad and Tobago High Court, this would not withstand objective scrutiny before any competent tribunal.”

This is correct but it is also grossly misleading as the TTFA’s statutes recognise CAS as the only competent tribunal for sports disputes – and at last look, this is a sports dispute whatever nationalist spin Wallace and his team put on it. Wallace and his cronies don’t recognise CAS as it doesn’t suit their somewhat manufactured narrative and attempts to cover up the reasons they were removed from office in the first instance.

Referencing an informal meeting of TTFA stakeholders he called, he says “many members were overwhelmingly of the view that FIFA is acting in bad faith (and in concert with Concacaf) to coerce the TTFA into withdrawing the claim against the Defendant. My firm view is that they are acting out of fear and not in the long-term interests of the TTFA.”

This is one of the most remarkable of Wallace’s assertions. It is not clear what FIFA has to be afraid of, it is merely following its own well defined statutes and procedures and in this case has never pretended otherwise – statutes that Wallace and crew refuse to follow but which are in their own laws.

However, he then acknowledges that the “majority of persons” (read ‘overwhelming majority’ and not all TTFA stakeholders were present or had been invited) were of the view that Wallace should withdraw proceedings. His affidavit follows that recommendation but in reality the text of his affidavit looks deliberately designed to achieve the opposite and is an abuse of the membership request he says he agreed to.

Wallace then references the draw for the Gold Cup that he says has never been held so early. Again, it is what he leaves out that is important. He fails to mention that this is the first time there has actually been a public draw for the Gold Cup and that for major competitions it is standard practice to hold the draw in advance of the competition for multiple commercial and logistical reasons. He then, somewhat incredibly, tries to tie this in with “a substantial injection of funds from FIFA” into Jamaica, “and these matters are unlikely to be a coincidence in all of the circumstances.”

Quite what he is alluding to is unclear as it is more likely Jamaica were in compliance for a release of funds that was due to them. Or perhaps he and his group just have their somewhat entitled hands out for FIFA money – the suspicion of most football observers.

“I do not believe the claim should be withdrawn, and I believe that it is wrong to submit and withdraw the claim, in the face of being bullied to do so by the Defendant. I believe the Defendant is more afraid than ever before…” says Wallace.

Frankly, it is self-deluding of Wallace to believe he and his group have struck fear into the heart of world football as they have been removed from participating in it, and are not recognised by FIFA as football officials in any capacity.

Perhaps the most ludicrous part of his affidavit is where he says: “I believe this will be catastrophic for Trinidad and Tobago, and all small nations who may seek to challenge FIFA’s imperialistic ambitions in the future.”

Where once these islands had the dreadful and oppressive tentacles of the British Empire, now they would appear to have squadrons of FIFA attack forces massing off their beaches waiting for the greenlight to storm the House of Football, parliament, Police Commissioner Gary Griffith’s (a keen football fan) Ivory Tower, and impose house arrest and martial law on the country because it would not recognise the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) as a competent sports dispute authority.

What Wallace forgets is that this is the country that has bent over backwards – and bent its own laws backwards – to prevent the extradition of football’s Most Wanted, Jack Warner, to the US to face multiple criminal charges of extortion, money laundering, bribery and graft. Not even US Navy Seals could get their hands on him… but watch out for that FIFA invasion people.

The links Wallace and his group – in particular Sam Phillip and Keith Look Loy – have with Warner has been well documented in local media. Rumours persist that Warner is paying their legal fees, though none of the named claimants in the case have confirmed this and refuse to answer any questions from Insideworldfootball. They have been very quick to speak to their local, friendly and primed domestic media in the battle for public opinion in Trinidad and Tobago.

However public and football opinion has turned against them as the realisation that a FIFA suspension would mean the removal of Trinidad and Tobago from the upcoming Concacaf Gold Cup, World Cup qualifiers and beyond. This was seen in the Wallace-called meeting of stakeholders that unanimously asked him to drop the court case.

His affidavit is a cleverly constructed catalogue of misinformation to keep United TTFA in a game they have been removed from. It also misrepresents the informal request from his former supporters to pull out of the court action – it is hard to find anyone who was ever really behind it.

Wallace at no point addresses the fraudulent activities that characterised their own short and destructive three months in charge that inevitably led to his forced removal by a FIFA Normalisation Committee. He has never answered the accusations of false contracts, dodgy dealers, election fraud, attempted construction scams and accounting malpractice. That is what really needs to be addressed. His answer to that is to blame it on the bloke before him. That is a smokescreen no-one has been fooled by.
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Offline trini_stallion

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #40 on: September 26, 2020, 07:00:57 AM »
Talk about tarnishing a name. That pig DJW laughing all the way to the back. I understand and support Wallace’s stand. He has a card up his sleeve. The advantage FIFA has is $$, and that buys time....but the FBI also has money and time. Let’s see, more than likely Wallace will lose, but he will plant one hell of a seed, and that in itself is a win!
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Offline pull stones

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #41 on: September 26, 2020, 07:04:47 AM »
The precedent has been set, people are missing the point of this stand off, Trinidad and Tobago is the only football federation in the world to stand up to fifa and take them to local court.

It sets a dangerous precedent that fifa would rather not deal with, meaning it gives power back to the people, back to people of color.

If you’re mind is enslaved and brainwashed you will be angered. This is one of the best moments in TT football, where they actually said no more. We will govern ourselves and control our football, neo colonialism is what you are supporting if you are against Wallace and what they did.

Revolutions can start with one man or one nation. This shows that fifa is what they always were, colonials allowing you to play within their enslaved system of governance.
paalleeaaseee...grade A crapola. every body here from what I could see supported WW from the start, but then he started flip flopping on the issue, one minute he’s capitulating to fifa then in the same breath he’s resolute in his stance, come on mate how could anyone who’s serious about a cause be so wavering in their conviction whether to fight or stand down?

in fact it just occurred to me yesterday when I saw he’s going back to the local courts and CAS at the same time, that he is being coerced into doing these things and clearly has no strategy to fight fifa on his own. why should anyone support this rubbish when you see a man changing his position every month, especially fighting one of the most independent organization in the world, and can’t even afford court fees.

but I guess you with your childish mad brain would see this as strategy instead of indecisive wavering, and may seek to label folks who threw their hands in the air in surrender as weak and bowing to colonialism and cow-towing to massa.

have it your way mate, you could continue to supporting this if you may, I’m just tired and wants to see an end to this. it’s either we’re fighting or we’re bowing out to the pressure, I think it’s only fair to consider the fans in all this, we deserve better than to be dragged through the mud for six months not going left nor right, but instead suspended in limbo. even one of their own executives threw in the towel, because it began to border on the ridiculous!
« Last Edit: September 26, 2020, 07:30:05 AM by pull stones »

Offline pull stones

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #42 on: September 26, 2020, 07:26:25 AM »
Talk about tarnishing a name. That pig DJW laughing all the way to the back. I understand and support Wallace’s stand. He has a card up his sleeve. The advantage FIFA has is $$, and that buys time....but the FBI also has money and time. Let’s see, more than likely Wallace will lose, but he will plant one hell of a seed, and that in itself is a win!
wallace has no plan mate, and don’t make him out to be a genius either. he’s literally trying a thing, but the only problem with trying a thing is knowing when to call it quits especially when you pulled out all your stops and nothing is working out well for you. he should have paid the fees and went to CAS after he has gain the attention of the world these last 6 months, this is what I thought he would have done after september 18th, but instead he over played his hand.

And as it stands he’s digging his own pit, because as there’s night and day fifas next move would be suspend him indefinitely where he would not even be able to touch a football, let alone challenge for any office just like jack warner. a man has to know when he’s licked mate, and Wallace is certainly licked.
« Last Edit: September 26, 2020, 07:32:02 AM by pull stones »

Offline asylumseeker

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #43 on: September 26, 2020, 07:54:11 AM »
Time will likely reveal that there was posturing but no flip-flopping. And I would wager that although WW would prefer to emerge on the other side of this matter unscathed, he's not in the least daunted by the prospect of a personal sanction. I would also suggest, that even if sanctioned, said sanction would not likely survive for an extensive period post-Infantino. And there will be a post-Infantino. I'm certain that Blatter and Platini are living each day with that in mind.
« Last Edit: September 26, 2020, 08:04:20 AM by asylumseeker »

Offline pull stones

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #44 on: September 26, 2020, 08:04:20 AM »
Time will likely reveal that there was posturing but no flip-flopping.
what do you call dropping a case today and reopening it tomorrow, where is the strategy in that? these men knew fully well that their only chance was to make it to the congress where the matter should have been decided, and infantino knew all too well that this was not going to happen, and his best option was to wait until after the meeting to convene with his six hatchet yes men.

after they saw what happened last friday, they should have been prudent enough to call that meeting the next day and put the case in CAS, but they played right into infantino’s hands, it was too easy. trust me mate these men are being ill advised, and as it stands they are on shakey ground, just you wait. susan Warwick is the only smart one here ATM.
« Last Edit: September 26, 2020, 08:08:57 AM by pull stones »

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #45 on: September 26, 2020, 08:08:17 AM »
Start here: Read between the lines. Dissect the various statements.

Offline pull stones

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #46 on: September 26, 2020, 08:15:39 AM »
Start here: Read between the lines. Dissect the various statements.
i don’t follow mate, after all I’m a very rudimentary bloke (no pun intended) so you have to hold my hand through this, I’m not good at mathematic equations but I could smell bullshit and failure a mile away.

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #47 on: September 26, 2020, 08:27:19 AM »
Start here: Read between the lines. Dissect the various statements.
i don’t follow mate, after all I’m a very rudimentary bloke (no pun intended) so you have to hold my hand through this, I’m not good at mathematic equations but I could smell bullshit and failure a mile away.

All I will say is don't take every pronouncement on this matter literally or on face value . Some of it is triangulated. Also,  I would argue that success in this matter is not necessarily defined by, or limited to, the re-installing of United TTFA.

Offline pull stones

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #48 on: September 26, 2020, 08:34:13 AM »
Start here: Read between the lines. Dissect the various statements.
i don’t follow mate, after all I’m a very rudimentary bloke (no pun intended) so you have to hold my hand through this, I’m not good at mathematic equations but I could smell bullshit and failure a mile away.

All I will say is don't take every pronouncement on this matter literally or on face value . Some of it is triangulated. Also,  I would argue that success in this matter is not necessarily defined by, or limited to, the re-installing of United TTFA.
there was a time when I myself thought that they must have an ace in the pocket to be so daring in the face of danger, but as it turns out that there was absolute no angle, and had fifa not suspended them this case would have gone quietly as of tuesday. sorry mate but I think these guys has shot their load and it’s only pride that has them standing. after miss Warwick resigned I knew there’s nothing left in the tank, and if anyone knows it the she does, after all she was in the drivers seat for six months.

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #49 on: September 26, 2020, 10:08:14 AM »
The resignation is immaterial, but the meeting was consequential (both positively and negatively).

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Looking forward to a new football day
« Reply #50 on: September 26, 2020, 11:28:28 AM »
Looking forward to a new football day
T&T Express


WHAT we predicted in this space six days ago, on September 20, has now sadly come to pass, with FIFA suspending the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA).

As we said then, this was a clear and present threat ­facing the embattled local body after the TTFA went to court here in Trinidad and Tobago to challenge a decision by the ­international body in appointing the Normalisation Committee. This was its decision in moving to sort out the sordid mess in which our administration of the “beautiful game” has been mired.

The world governing body had given the essentially ousted “­United TTFA” until Wednesday this week to withdraw the action or face ­suspension.

William Wallace’s embattled leadership team, through its ­attorney on Thursday, said a withdrawal notice had been filed in the High Court. Clearly, however, that action failed to meet the extended deadline of ­September 23, after an original deadline of September 16 had not been met.

As reported yesterday, the local High Court action was a violation of the FIFA rules, which prohibits this route to recourse, “unless specifically provided for in the FIFA regulations”.

It went contrary to the specific provision for such matters to be ­addressed at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), established as the exclusive forum for resolving disputes of this nature.

Moving swiftly to rescue itself from this self-inflicted injury, the TTFA leadership team decided yesterday to drop the High Court matter and place its appeal before the CAS after all.

TTFA has asked for consideration of the matter to be concluded by 8 a.m. on Monday (Swiss time). This, it turns out, is the date of the draw for the Concacaf Gold Cup tournament. This is set to take place at 8 p.m. on the same day. The TTFA must now officially file its substantive appeal, with the FIFA body saying it is committed to deliver a decision in the matter by 2 p.m. that day.

The appointment of the local “Normalisation Committee” had come about as a result of the embarrassing wrangles which had been taking place for too long among those fighting for leadership of the TTFA.

Suspension of the TTFA would have represented the end of the road, after years of autocracy, infighting, and lack of accountability and ­transparency with the management of local football.

We make no apology for stating, once again, that this is the result of questionable leadership, which led to the establishment of a perverse culture of personality that has robbed the sport in this country of its lustre from earlier decades.

It remains a shame that the national game has been handed this screaming red-card, in a country in which one of its leading public figures had risen to the heights of a FIFA vice-presidency, although his leadership and ultimate management of the national game over decades have left him with questions to answer.

In the interest of good governance, however, the Normalisation Committee appears to have a role, nevertheless, in helping to sort through the mess bequeathed to it.
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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #51 on: September 26, 2020, 05:41:06 PM »
WATCH: United TTFA continues legal fight against FIFA. Trinidad and Tobago's Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith weighs in on the matter.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/s0Vxr3mSpoI" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/s0Vxr3mSpoI</a>
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Offline Tallman

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A red card for uncaring TTFA
« Reply #52 on: September 27, 2020, 11:30:21 AM »
A red card for uncaring TTFA
T&T Express


The ongoing dispute between FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association) and United TTFA (Trinidad and Tobago Football Association) represents the quest, though one might say lust, for power and control of football and its rights.

United TTFA clearly demonstrates its unfortunate belief that holding on to power is far more important than football in T&T.

Despite numerous attempts by FIFA, as well as other stakeholders, that United TTFA should forego litigation at the local courts and seek justice at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) based on the statutes of FIFA, inadvisable legal recommendations, it seems, were proffered which United TTFA hungrily grasped, to the further disadvantage of local football.

Whether FIFA is right or not, the ability to make this determination will take years and very great sums of money, which United TTFA does not have, given its estimated $100 million in debt. The current legal fees being paid to attorneys representing United TTFA may have been better spent in decreasing this debt.

FIFA may be considered corrupt or a bully or using bullying tactics, but it ­controls world football and has the ­requisite resources to control and dictate the game of football.

How important is football to T&T? Clearly, FIFA believes it is, resulting in its appointment of a normalisation committee. Hasn’t this committee been formed to address perceived corruption and mismanagement in local football? Why then are attempts being made to disregard its value? One would expect alacrity in working with any entity that FIFA appoints to address alleged corruption and bad debts which have placed local football in the doldrums.

The very poor defences of the deposed president and team of United TTFA are negatively impacting local football and resulting in apathy by the general public for such a great sport. How can there be buy-in to local football when there really is no proper leadership of it? Proficient leadership should be based on sufficient technical skills, hard work and experience to enable effective decision-ma­king, but definitely not on ego trips!

Is it any wonder then why local football is in such shambles and the senior football teams are known more for losses than wins, despite having great local ­footballers who showcase their skills and shine ­internationally?

The answer seems to lie in potential mismanagement and poor leadership. T&T’s poor football showing, primarily owing to very poor sportsmanship by past and present leaders of its football association, is made worse by its suspension from world football by FIFA.

The ongoing action by United TTFA clearly shows its disdain and disregard for local football, otherwise it could have been seeking a win-win resolution with FIFA and CAS while acceding to the wishes of FIFA to have a normalisation committee in place and while arbitration is being pursued.

It is unbelievably sad when a few people, purportedly seeking their own interests, can relegate such a beautiful sport as football to the benches, all because of false pride. Unless true leadership and responsibility are demonstrated by United TTFA, local football will continue to flounder.

As it stands, United TTFA is ­red-carded for its uncaring attitude towards local football.

Harjoon Heeralal
Carapichaima
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Offline Flex

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #53 on: September 27, 2020, 11:35:29 AM »
Football coaches, managers label United TTFA selfish.
By Walter Alibey (Guardian).


'Selfish' is how some coaches and managers have described the United T&T team, the elected administrators of the T&T Football Association, saying they do not care about the country and the sport of football, only themselves.

The comments by Travis Mulraine, Randy Hagley of Guaya United, Shawn Cooper the former national youth coach and Ron La Forrest, came following a decision by the TTFA, to resume its fight against the FIFA in the High Court, just a day after the FIFA suspended them on Republic Day, September 24.

William Wallace, president of the TTFA, whose second vice president Susan Joseph-Warrick resigned on Friday as part of the fallout from the FIFA suspension, said in a release on Friday that the action by the FIFA showed that they were always going to ban the TTFA. As such, he said he instructed his attorneys to file an emergency appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), challenging the sole issue of the suspension of TTFA in the face of illegal threats and coercive acts by FIFA. The attorneys Dr Emir Crowne, Matthew Gayle, Crystal Paul, and Jason Jones, were also asked to make an application for Injunctive Relief so that if successful this would allow Trinidad and Tobago to participate in the Gold Cup draw carded for Monday 28 September."

Speaking to Guardian Media Sports on Saturday, the coaches and managers believe this decision to further challenge FIFA could have detrimental consequences. Both La Forrest and Mulraine said the action of the TTFA is an indication of their incompetence to run TT football in the first place. "They are on an ego trip while the entire country and the people who depend on it are suffering."

The quartet has also expressed a concern that the TTFA members are blatantly disregarding the rules of the FIFA, but yet are bold enough to challenge it. According to the coaches and managers, the United TTFA group was given a deadline which they failed to honour, and still with a revised deadline, they failed to live up to it. "That is disrespect," Hagley said.

The Guaya owner and manager noted: "The actions of the TTFA will put the country in further turmoil, rules are rules. This decision to return to court and challenge the FIFA in the CAS will make an already bad situation worse. Remember that in the T&T Super League teams cannot take the league to court also, so why do you have a member of the TTSL fighting against a similar rule in the FIFA Statutes."

Mulraine question why Wallace and company would want to return to the CAS which they initially described as bias. "They do not have the interest of the sport in this country at heart, and while all this is happening here, in the US young players are going on contracts in the Spanish League, and these are the people we will have to play against. "

Mulraine believes the decision by the FIFA to replace the TTFA with a normalisation committee was because there were people involved in the TTFA election who the FIFA did not approve of.

He calls on the delegates of the TTFA to convene an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) and vote out the TTFA members.

Meanwhile, Cooper is calling for answers why the TTFA is continuing its battle with the FIFA. "What would the end result be. Are they going to fight someone that they need financially and otherwise? This comes like we are fighting a war with the USA, we are taking on a fight we just cannot win, so it's time for the TTFA to study the young players."

Cooper who also coaches at Presentation College in the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) said the FIFA suspension was a slap on the wrist for the TTFA, one that they could have worked with easily.

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #54 on: September 27, 2020, 11:37:08 AM »
Griffith: All is not lost in T&T football
By Jelani Beckles (Newsday).


GARY Griffith, Commissioner of Police (CoP), said all is not lost in T&T football but said the normalisation committee must be allowed to do its job to rebuild a relationship with FIFA.

FIFA suspended the TT Football Association (TTFA) with immediate effect on Thursday after the United TTFA failed to meet the deadline in withdrawing their court case against the sport's global governing body. They needed to withdraw the case by 3 pm on Wednesday.

United TTFA has not given up the fight against FIFA who, in March, removed the executive of the United TTFA and install a normalisation committee to run local football.

In another twist on Friday, the United TTFA sought to withdraw its withdrawal of its lawsuit against FIFA.

The William Wallace-led United TTFA remains adamant that its challenge should be played out in the local courts since it is a statutory body.

Griffith, who has been outspoken about matters concerning local football, said, “It is not the end of the world. I am looking at the glass half full, it cannot get worst than this. It could only get better.”

The CoP said the United TTFA members are thinking of themselves. “I think what we would have done was learn from our mistakes. What we saw was the matter of egos trying to take precedence over the bigger picture. People were so excited to win a battle at the expense of losing a war.”

Griffith said the lives of young people will be affected. “We have to move forward. This is not just going to affect (only) football, but we are talking about young persons having the opportunity for scholarships, contracts, our exposure.”

This will also create financial problems for local football, according to Griffith. “Definitely if we stay in this situation we not going to get a cent from FIFA , the Government quite rightly is not going to want to invest much…in a sport that is not going further external to our own borders…the private sector is definitely not going to put a cent.”

Griffith said the FIFA-appointed normalisation committee (comprising chairman Robert Hadad, Judy Daniel and Nigel Romano) must be in charge of T&T football.

“One thing to make this work is for the normalisation committee to have full control and let them be the spokespersons on behalf of TT football to FIFA to give the assurance that there is no such court order, and that the normalisation committee will now have full authorisation to move our football forward.”

Griffith, in a message to the young footballers, said, “Ignore all of the issues and concerns that we are seeing outside of the field. When you get on that 100-yard by 60-yard (field) focus on your football. Do not be distracted by all of the negativity and all the concerns you have seen and heard. The administrators have let you down, but you do not let yourself down.”

The real measure of a man's character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.

Offline Flex

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #55 on: September 27, 2020, 11:40:50 AM »
Former captain Clayton Morris: Good can come out of Wallace’s stance
By Ian Prescott (Express).


New norm

“Whoever comes in to take up the mantle of our football has to come squeaky clean and that is what we need,” says former men’s national football team captain Clayton Morris.

Morris represented the senior team for ten years, played over 100 games and served as captain for five years. He also represented the T&T national Under-19 team from 1979 to 1981 and was national FUTSAL coach as well.

Morris believes that a lot of good has come out of the so far seven-month battle between the sidelined Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) executives and FIFA, which ultimately resulted in FIFA suspending T&T from international football on Thursday after Wallace’s United TTFA group failed to meet the 3pm deadline the world governing body had set for withdrawing its challenge of the normalisation committee from the High Court. Wallace has since restarted court action and also taken the matter of T&T’s suspension to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Many revelations have been made over the past seven months, including an investigative documentary into the Home of Football which has prompted police enquiries.

“I believe that there is a victory somewhere along that line,” Morris said prior to FIFA’s announcement of the suspension.

Morris, who in the past criticised the way former FIFA vice-president and TTFA special advisor Jack Warner operated, felt T&T football administrators had failed both players and the sport for many generations. The proactive stance taken by stakeholders in the face of the pending international ban, he felt, indicated that they are no longer willing to stand by without objection when the overall best interest is threatened.

“I think it is healthy for our football,” Morris declared.

Morris was at last Tuesday’s meeting where the majority of delegates voted that United TTFA should cease its court action against FIFA.

Protocols observed

Morris observed protocols set as the representative of the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) and voted with the majority — not to have T&T suspended. However, he does not believe the stand taken by Wallace and United TTFA is a wasted effort.

“We are happy that in respect to the accountability factor, it brought to the forefront that a police investigation is there in relation to the (alleged) misuse of funds or what have you,” said Morris, who also felt there was a bigger picture.

“Trinidad and Tobago is now recognised, not just for being the smallest country to have qualified for a (FIFA men’s) World Cup back in 2006, but as a country that decided on principle to stand up to FIFA,” he said.

“I think that is something that augers well for us going into the future. I think a lot of smaller countries like in Africa and those places, would take strength from the position that we just took against FIFA.”

Before Thursday’s FIFA sanction, Morris was not convinced that a ban would have been bad for football in the country where the game is at an all-time low at local and international level, and the Association has now been shown to be near TT$100million in debt.

He thought a couple of years without international competition might give T&T the time needed to develop young footballers. And not having to constantly direct meagre funds into competing teams might also help the Association to address its huge debt problems.

“Most times we are training our athletes for competition and missing that aspect of proper development,” said Morris.

He highlighted two national teams which had proper development — the T&T 2001 FIFA Under-17 World Championship squad involving Kenwyne Jones and the 1989 Strike Squad which was together for two years under coach Everald “Gally” Cummings.

“It shows that we need that time to really develop in the right way,” Morris said.

« Last Edit: September 27, 2020, 12:18:21 PM by Flex »
The real measure of a man's character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.

Offline Tallman

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #56 on: September 27, 2020, 05:42:59 PM »
The ball is mine - The suspension of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association by FIFA
By Farai Razano (thecentrecourtjurist.blogspot.com)


The TTFA

The TTFA was created under the Laws of Trinidad and Tobago by the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association Act No. 17 of 1982 (“the TTFA Act”). One of its objectives is to regulate and control the conduct of Football in Trinidad and Tobago under the FIFA system. It is bound by the FIFA Statutes, in particular articles 57 and 59 which require all parties involved in football to resolve their disputes outside national courts i.e. via private arbitration.

The appointment of the FIFA normalisation committee

On 24 November 2019, the TTFA elected members of the Executive Committee of the TTFA. In February 2020 FIFA sent a delegation to Trinidad and Tobago to meet with the Executive Committee of the TTFA. A month later, FIFA informed the TTFA that it had resolved to appoint a normalisation committee to take over the running of the TTFA because FIFA was concerned with the financial management and governance of the TTFA. The normalisation committee had sweeping powers which included the power to review and amend TTFA statutes (subject to approval by the TTFA congress) and organising and conducting elections of a new TTFA Executive Committee. Additionally, the normalising committee would act as the electoral committee and its decisions would be final and binding.

The aborted appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport

The appointment of the normalisation committee effectively rendered the just elected TTFA executive committee members powerless. They accused the normalisation committee of interfering with the operation of the TTFA’s bank account, and exposing the TTFA to potential lawsuits among other things. They approached the Court of Arbitration for Sport (“CAS”) appealing against the appointment of the normalisation committee.

Before the CAS hears a matter, it requires the parties to pay the advance of costs. The respondent (FIFA in this case) can nominate the appellant to pay the respondent’s share of the advance of costs. Additionally, the respondent can request that it only files its answering papers after the advance of costs has been paid in full, or the appellant has paid at least its share of the advance of costs. If the advance of costs is not paid, the appeal is deemed to have been withdrawn. FIFA generally does not, and refused in the TTFA appeal to, pay its share of the advance of costs. Furthermore, FIFA requested that the time limit to file its answering papers only start running upon payment of the advance of costs by the TTFA. The TTFA viewed FIFA's conduct as an attempt to frustrate the arbitration and withdrew its appeal before the CAS on 18 May 2020.

The claim before the High Court

After withdrawing its appeal before the CAS, the TTFA filed a claim against FIFA before the court in Trinidad and Tobago. In the claim, the TTFA challenged the enforceability of certain articles of TTFA’s Constitution, FIFA Statutes and consistency with the TTFA Act, and the legitimacy of the appointment of the normalisation committee.

FIFA opposed the claim before the court. It filed an application which essentially challenged the jurisdiction of the High Court of Trinidad and Tobago over the dispute and FIFA. It argued that the matter was a private dispute that should be dealt with by private arbitration before the CAS in terms of the FIFA Statutes. Despite the issue of the appointment of the normalisation committee being before the court, FIFA’s Council went on to ratify the decision on 25 June 2020. The court (per Madam Justice Gobin) viewed this as conduct that “… demonstrated scant regard for the judicial process and the courts of [Trinidad and Tobago]” In a well-reasoned judgement, the court dismissed FIFA’s challenge of the court’s jurisdiction for several reasons including the following:
  • The incorporation of provisions of the FIFA Statutes (article 57 and 59) into the TTFA Constitution did not oust the jurisdiction of the court.
  • The court was required to determine whether TTFA can contract out of the TTFA Act to give FIFA powers to override processes prescribed in an Act of Parliament or whether TTFA’s contractual undertakings are subject to the laws of Trinidad and Tobago.
  • FIFA had gone beyond mere procedural matters in its papers. It had ventured into the merits and by so doing implicitly submitted to the jurisdiction of the court.
  • Arbitration (which in any event appeared impossible given FIFA’s challenge to the authority of certain persons to act on behalf of the TTFA) was not appropriate because there was an issue about the legitimacy of powers exercised by FIFA under article 8(2) of the FIFA Statutes and its consistency with a law passed by legislators in Trinidad and Tobago and this was an issue for the court to decide, not the CAS. Additionally, FIFA paralysed the arbitration process by its refusal to pay its share of the advance of costs and requesting that the time to file its answer only starts running when the TTFA paid the advance of costs.
  • The court ruled that it would hear the merits of the case and ordered FIFA to file its defense and pay the TTFA’s costs. The court reminded FIFA that it was not above the law and there may be limits in terms of the laws of Trinidad and Tobago to the validity of the mechanisms that FIFA employed to achieve its goals or objectives.
You need my ball to play the game

The court noted FIFA's threats of “severe consequences to which TTFA [was] exposed as a consequence of [taking FIFA to court] in direct breach of the terms of its membership of FIFA…” Sensing that FIFA was that guy who owned the ball, Madam Justice Gobin, remarked that “I do not expect FIFA to walk off the field or to take its ball and go home if after full ventilation of the issues, this court were to confirm the primacy of an Act of the Parliament of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago over the FIFA Statutes.”

Extra time

On 20 August 2020, FIFA issued a statement confirming that an appeal against the decision of the court would be filed on the same day. In the same statement, FIFA issued a threat to the TTFA to withdraw the case before court or face severe consequences. FIFA initially gave the TTFA until 16 September 2020 to withdraw the case before the court. This was later extended to 23 September 2020. The TTFA, perhaps tired of that guy and his ball, did not surrender. It did not withdraw the case before the court. [NB. There are reports that the TTFA indeed withdrew the case, but outside the deadline].

Game over

FIFA, being the owner of the ball, author of the rules and referee, decided that the game was over. It took its ball and went home. FIFA suspended TTFA on 24 September 2020.

There may be merit to the financial mismanagement and poor governance within the TTFA as alleged by FIFA as the TTFA itself is no stranger to controversy. However, that is a side issue. The issue with FIFA here is, no matter how noble its normalisation committee intervention was, it wanted to have it its way only and no one would stop it. Not even the court.

The issue of the lawfulness of its intervention (interference some may argue) through the normalisation committee was still before the court. Instead of FIFA respecting the judicial process and dealing with the merits of the dispute, FIFA decided to flex its muscles (an abuse of power really) to force the TTFA to toe the line. In its statement issued on 24 September 2020, FIFA says it suspended the TTFA “due to grave violations of the FIFA Statutes.” With respect, standing up to the bully through a judicial process cannot be said to be a grave violation of the FIFA Statutes. If anything, FIFA’s attitude in this matter exposes a lack of appreciation for the rule of law. FIFA was not prepared to let the judicial process run its course. As the owner of the ball, FIFA wanted to apply its own laws of the game and choose its own referee. The TTFA resisted that.

TTFA is now out in the cold

The TTFA has now been frozen out. Just like our childhood games on the street, the rest of the team members will be angry with the person who challenged the owner of the ball. They will demand that she or he says sorry to the owner of the ball for the game to continue. When the apology is finally offered, the owner of the ball will not accept that she or he was also wrong. The answer is always “I forgive you. You see, without me there is no game. The ball is mine.”
The Conquering Lion of Judah shall break every chain.

Offline ffisback

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #57 on: September 27, 2020, 08:49:56 PM »
Look Loy sounds like a old jammit trying to make a comeback Sancho needs to form a collation to get rid of these self serving fools once and for all.

Offline Deeks

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #58 on: September 27, 2020, 11:50:26 PM »
Harjoon Heeralal
Carapichaima


Mr. Harjoon, where were you when DJW was f---king up the football.

Offline Flex

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #59 on: September 28, 2020, 12:48:40 AM »
FIFA suspension was 20 years in the making.
By Jelani Beckles (Newsday).

FORMER captain Kenwyne Jones believes the decision by FIFA to suspend the TT Football Association (TTFA) has been in the making for 20 years due to years of poor governance.

Jones, who played 91 appearances between 2003 and 2017, was a member of the squad that represented at the 2006 World Cup.

Jones, speaking with Newsday about the current situation facing T&T football said, “To be honest, this is the culmination of bad governance for the last 20 years. Administratively, we’ve been lacking. I think as a federation (TTFA) and we’ve seen time and time again we’ve had unfit persons in the office of the federation.”

FIFA suspended the TT Football Association (TTFA) with immediate effect, on Thursday, after the United TTFA failed to meet the deadline in withdrawing their court case. They needed to withdraw the case at 3 pm on Wednesday.

United TTFA has not given up the fight against FIFA to remove the executive of the United TTFA and install a normalisation committee to run local football.

In another twist on Friday, the United TTFA sought to withdraw its withdrawal of its lawsuit against FIFA.

The William Wallace-led United TTFA remains adamant that its challenge should be played out in the local courts since it is a statutory body.

Jones said he is hurt after FIFA’s decision and the United TTFA’s approach was heartless. “Now that we’ve been suspended I think it is a very sad day for T&T football because this has never happened…I think they have been very callous in the way that they went about meeting deadlines and making decisions that could have affected us all.

“Their lack of concern for the generations (of footballers) and the stakeholders, mainly the youths of TT is appalling and to see that it has come to this stage where we have been suspended now it puts a lot of young people’s lives in the balance.”

Jones, who is hopeful the situation will end soon, said new blood is required in local administration.

“My message is to the younger generation, my generation of players to be educated, to get themselves involved in football (administration) in the country because it is high time that we have a changing of the guards. For far too long we have people who have been in administration of football that have been around for 30 years, 40 years, 50 years.”

The real measure of a man's character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.

 

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