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Author Topic: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association  (Read 21927 times)

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Offline Mad Scorpion a/k/a Big Bo$$

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #90 on: October 05, 2020, 08:16:33 AM »
Plenty ah allyuh is some coward f0(kaz! I backin WW all the way, right is right! F da house negro bs!  FIFA overlook all the shite DJW do and then conveniently install normalization committee when he get he kakahole break open in de elections.  Now because the fight getting difficult allyuh want to back down?!!  This is what people with resources and what they feel is unlimited power always try to do.  They will squeeze you and try to exhaust your efforts and resources until you comply.  People watching this 3pm deadline like that was something.  Where else in the world does anyone set an arbitrary time not congruent with the close of business in that region for a court matter to be handled?  Further if it was ever in good faith 23 minutes would easily be overlooked if indeed the intended purpose was for the matter to be removed from T&T High Courts.  I agree with WW that FIFA always intended to ban T&T and seized a very convenient opportunity to do so and avoid further scrutiny of their behavior.
absolute rubbish mate. wallace had our full support until he started doubting himself and flip flopping. yes he may be a great guy who wants the best for the sport, and I don’t doubt that for a minute, he has demonstrated that he would have made an excellent federation president, my only regret is that fifa favored him over DJW or that mr timkee did not meet his demise as soon as he did, just maybe his expertise would have came in handy at a time like this, but it clearly wasn’t meant to be.

WW had me until he claimed that he was about to fold then mark bassant’s story broke which gave him courage to carry on, that revelation lead me to believe that he was flying blind all along. he then kept trying to reach out to fifa to negotiate, then waited until the congress which worked against him when infantino read the play that they wanted to put fifa on the hot seat at the congress. gianni as cunning as he is did not use the opportunity to get the federations involved, instead he went to his magnificent six yes man team to do his dirty work.

from that moment he should have known that it was only a matter of time before fifa banned him and should have dropped the high court case that friday and moved it the CAS instead of calling most of the stake holders together for a meeting to drop all the cases on Tuesday, including going back to CAS by abandoning the whole fight altogether, then if that wasn’t shady enough he went back on his word to drop the case in the high court the next day following the ban reinstating his stance after a unanimous decision rendered by the football fraternity.

and here’s the icing on the cake, he never has anything decisive to tell the fans who are obviously hurting, we only get to follow along in the dark, and I say enough of this bullshit. if you’re gonna go for the ban then go for it, if you’re gonna try to save face by stepping aside and allowing the popular opinions of the stake holders to dictate the pace then fine.

but it’s ironic that no one is moved by the fact that if fifa did not ban us and accepted the truce, they weren’t even going to take the fight to CAS, that would have been it, over squashed....done, would you so called warriors have a problem or called him out for cowardice?

these people are clueless mate, and you’ll find out sooner or later. you’ll see.

Dude maybe you should consider that up until the Bessant piece, WW did not have the proof of as much wrongdoing as was always suspected.  Up until that point he had all the procedural malfeasance conducted by DJW that FIFA knew about and looked the other way.  So while his decision to fight was correct he wasn't completely loaded with the ammunition necessary.  In seeing the proverbial mountain and with the massively dwindling support of the stakeholders in TnT, he was prepared to go against his own conviction and fold.  Or he cleverly was playing dead to ketch Courbeaux alive.  Either way, the new information presented by Bessant which seem to be supported by tremendous investigative efforts easily would reinforce his initial conviction and fortitude to take on the Goliath that is FIFA.  You think way to linear and not seeing this for what it really is.

Offline Deeks

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #91 on: October 05, 2020, 09:30:46 AM »
Maybe he did know about Basant findings from early o'clock. The issue for him in the beginning was corroborating evidence.

Offline Mad Scorpion a/k/a Big Bo$$

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #92 on: October 05, 2020, 09:49:09 AM »
Maybe he did know about Basant findings from early o'clock. The issue for him in the beginning was corroborating evidence.

Daiz why I say maybe he didn't have proof. If we people have any fortitude we would be backing him.  FIFA overdoing the BS and if everyone backs down when it get a lil difficult, they will continue to take advantage as they see fit.

Offline Flex

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #93 on: October 06, 2020, 12:51:44 AM »
FIFA to pay registrar $60k by October 15.
By Jonathan Ramnanansingh (Newsday).


FIFA has been ordered to pay $60,000 to the TT Supreme Court Registrar by or before October 15.

This comes as a result of a Security for Costs application filed by United TTFA attorney Matthew Gayle in the Chamber Court of the Court of Appeal, in Port-of-Spain, on Monday.

If FIFA fails to pay the sum within the stipulated time, its appeal to not have the case against the TT Football Association (TTFA) heard in the local courts will be thrown out.

“The Security for Costs application is to ensure there is some type of financial security for the applicant (United TTFA) in the event that the applicant is successful in the Court of Appeal. It won’t be a situation where FIFA, if they lose the appeal, would take their ball and run away,” said United TTFA attorney Jade Jones.

After FIFA removed the William Wallace-led executive from the helm of the TTFA in mid-March citing massive debt and financial mismanagement, the sport’s governing body appointed a normalisation committee to run T&T football affairs.

The ousted regime deemed this move by FIFA “illegal” and opted to contest the matter in the local courts. FIFA, however, maintains its stance that the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland is the only recognised path to resolve such a dispute.

Additionally, Jones believes Justice Malcolm Holdip’s decision to accept their Security for Costs application comes after FIFA’s blatant disregard towards denying the legitimacy of the TT court to hear the case.

In a media release issued in July by FIFA, it stated,

“For the avoidance of doubt, FIFA only recognises the authority and jurisdiction of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in these matters. Any dispute regarding the appointment of a normalisation committee falls squarely within the jurisdiction of the CAS, and CAS alone

Jones added, “In this case, we would have more or less said that FIFA has shown a history of indicating that they don’t intend to recognise the TT courts. So there’s a concern there that this procedural appeal (FIFA’s), which is challenging Justice Carol Gobin’s decision in August to have the case heard locally.”

He continued, “After that they said FIFA would never recognize anything but CAS, Justice Holdip paid keen attention to that statement.

“It’s really two criteria for Security of Costs. You have to show that the other party is domiciled, lives or a resident of another country. The other component is whether it’s fair and just.

“The court looked at the circumstances and submissions of both parties.

“If you have FIFA on one side saying they will never recognise the TT courts, I think that was the point that the court took this decision on. In this case, FIFA will not be prejudiced because the money is paid into the court. It’s not going to TTFA’s account.”

If FIFA does not pay the money, the procedural appeal cannot go forward and cannot be heard on October 19. This means United TTFA would win the appeal to have the case heard here.

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

Offline pull stones

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #94 on: October 06, 2020, 01:09:01 AM »
I was under the impression that the case was to be held on the 9th of october, so what's this new 19th october date is all about, did i miss something?

Offline Tallman

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #95 on: October 06, 2020, 06:08:10 AM »
I was under the impression that the case was to be held on the 9th of october, so what's this new 19th october date is all about, did i miss something?

The case is on the 9th, but the appeal is on the 19th.
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Offline Flex

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #96 on: October 06, 2020, 02:55:49 PM »
FIFA issues World Cup warning to TTFA.
By Joel Bailey (Newsday).


FIFA has issued a World Cup warning to the TT Football Association (TTFA), with regards to its suspension of the local governing body on September 24.

FIFA suspended the TTFA two weeks ago for grave violation of FIFA Statutes. The former TTFA executive, led by William Wallace, missed the September 23 deadline to withdraw its legal challenge to FIFA, over FIFA’s decision to remove the TTFA hierarchy, over mounting debts, and install a normalisation committee, led by Robert Hadad.

FIFA secretary general Fatma Samoura issued a letter, via e-mail, to Hadad on Tuesday, stating that the 2022 FIFA World Cup Concacaf Zone Qualifiers are set to begin in March 2021.

“The organisation of such competition entails complex logistical and operational matters intensified by the covid19 crisis,” Samoura wrote. “In view of this, FIFA has decided that, in order to ensure that proper preparation and planning of the participant teams, if the suspension imposed on the TTFA is not lifted by 6 pm Central European Time (noon TT time) on December 18, we have no choice to exclude the TTFA from participating in the Concacaf World Cup qualifiers.”

If the suspension is not lifted by December 18, T&T will be replaced by Antigua/Barbuda at the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup qualifiers.

The normalisation committee “has necessarily ceased all operational and management functions over the TTFA” due to FIFA’s suspension of the TTFA membership.

But FIFA insisted “the only legitimate leadership of the TTFA, recognised by FIFA and Concacaf, is the one led by Hadad.”

« Last Edit: October 07, 2020, 12:50:30 AM 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 asylumseeker

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #97 on: October 06, 2020, 03:42:50 PM »
The runway is being cleared for all sorts of new shenanigans to take off. Watch de ride.

Offline maxg

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #98 on: October 06, 2020, 03:54:24 PM »
FIFA issues World Cup warning to TTFA.
By Joel Bailey (Newsday).


FIFA has issued a World Cup warning to the TT Football Association (TTFA), with regards to its suspension of the local governing body on September 24.

FIFA suspended the TTFA two weeks ago for grave violation of FIFA Statutes. The former TTFA executive, led by William Wallace, missed the September 23 deadline to withdraw its legal challenge to FIFA, over FIFA’s decision to remove the TTFA hierarchy, over mounting debts, and install a normalisation committee, led by Robert Hadad.

FIFA secretary general Fatma Samoura issued a letter, via e-mail, to Hadad on Tuesday, stating that the 2022 FIFA World Cup Concacaf Zone Qualifiers are set to begin in March 2021.

“The organisation of such competition entails complex logistical and operational matters intensified by the covid19 crisis,” Samoura wrote. “In view of this, FIFA has decided that, in order to ensure that proper preparation and planning of the participant teams, if the suspension imposed on the TTFA is not lifted by 6 pm Central European Time (noon TT time) on December 18, we have no choice to exclude the TTFA from participating in the Concacaf World Cup qualifiers.”

If the suspension is not lifted by December 18, T&T will be replaced by Antigua/Barbuda at the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup qualifiers.

The normalisation committee “has necessarily ceased all operational and management functions over the TTFA” due to FIFA’s suspension of the TTFA membership.

But FIFA insisted “the only legitimate leadership of the TTFA, recognised by FIFA and Concacaf, is the one led by Hadad.”


Is ok. We good - at least 'I'.  Leff we out.  Maybe later when the world crisis is in order, allyuh crisis in order and we own internal crises fix, well at least a few of them.
Let these anxious coaches chill. All the past years coaches doing the job with what they had, practically volunteering, these guys all want they pound of flesh, oops, these days , protein and regulated diet. pardon me. To much issues right now to be cleared up at all levels from management and administration to performance, can't focus on positive competition under these circumstances. Shut it down.

It's all well well and good to be in touch with the world on the internet with computer, up to date with everything, but if there is no current, and T &Tec on a internal fight  or close down, we gotta retrain our ppl, rebuild our infrastructure and come again, more resilient than before. Best to be back to play, when it suites us.


https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=319452805793440

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2719721844962604

https://sites.google.com/view/tnthardcorenews/main-menu/news-menu/all-news/news-on-trinidad-and-tobago
« Last Edit: October 06, 2020, 06:53:41 PM by maxg »

Offline Controversial

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #99 on: October 06, 2020, 09:35:40 PM »
FIFA issues World Cup warning to TTFA.
By Joel Bailey (Newsday).


FIFA has issued a World Cup warning to the TT Football Association (TTFA), with regards to its suspension of the local governing body on September 24.

FIFA suspended the TTFA two weeks ago for grave violation of FIFA Statutes. The former TTFA executive, led by William Wallace, missed the September 23 deadline to withdraw its legal challenge to FIFA, over FIFA’s decision to remove the TTFA hierarchy, over mounting debts, and install a normalisation committee, led by Robert Hadad.

FIFA secretary general Fatma Samoura issued a letter, via e-mail, to Hadad on Tuesday, stating that the 2022 FIFA World Cup Concacaf Zone Qualifiers are set to begin in March 2021.

“The organisation of such competition entails complex logistical and operational matters intensified by the covid19 crisis,” Samoura wrote. “In view of this, FIFA has decided that, in order to ensure that proper preparation and planning of the participant teams, if the suspension imposed on the TTFA is not lifted by 6 pm Central European Time (noon TT time) on December 18, we have no choice to exclude the TTFA from participating in the Concacaf World Cup qualifiers.”

If the suspension is not lifted by December 18, T&T will be replaced by Antigua/Barbuda at the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup qualifiers.

The normalisation committee “has necessarily ceased all operational and management functions over the TTFA” due to FIFA’s suspension of the TTFA membership.

But FIFA insisted “the only legitimate leadership of the TTFA, recognised by FIFA and Concacaf, is the one led by Hadad.”


Is ok. We good - at least 'I'.  Leff we out.  Maybe later when the world crisis is in order, allyuh crisis in order and we own internal crises fix, well at least a few of them.
Let these anxious coaches chill. All the past years coaches doing the job with what they had, practically volunteering, these guys all want they pound of flesh, oops, these days , protein and regulated diet. pardon me. To much issues right now to be cleared up at all levels from management and administration to performance, can't focus on positive competition under these circumstances. Shut it down.

It's all well well and good to be in touch with the world on the internet with computer, up to date with everything, but if there is no current, and T &Tec on a internal fight  or close down, we gotta retrain our ppl, rebuild our infrastructure and come again, more resilient than before. Best to be back to play, when it suites us.


https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=319452805793440

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2719721844962604

https://sites.google.com/view/tnthardcorenews/main-menu/news-menu/all-news/news-on-trinidad-and-tobago

They send in the house negro to punish ttfa

Offline maxg

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #100 on: October 06, 2020, 10:35:02 PM »
Quote from: Controversial link=topic=66714.msg995580#msg995580 date=16

They send in the house negro to punish ttfa
[/quote
  ??? ??? She's doing her job, she's not doing a punishment. You rather somebody else or you rather she quit. Don't tear the lady down cause we disagree with her company current decisions, she didn't make the rules that everybody in the world sign up to, nor does she hardly dictates the boards decisions. We got to stop learning to hate ourselves regardless of our stations, man.
« Last Edit: October 06, 2020, 10:37:55 PM by maxg »

Offline Flex

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #101 on: October 07, 2020, 12:52:16 AM »
FIFA warns TTFA: No qualifiers if ban not lifted.
By Walter Alibey (Guardian).


T&T's participation at the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers next year will rest heavily on the shoulders of the T&T Football Association (TTFA) being led by its elected president William Wallace, who FIFA removed from office on March 17.

Following the suspension by FIFA on September 24 for violation of the FIFA Statutes, the TTFA realistically can still enable T&T to participate at the qualifiers which begin in March if the TTFA abide by the conditions of the suspension, which means bringing the TTFA Statutes in line with that of the FIFA and dropping all court-related battles with the FIFA before December 18.

Following the suspension, Wallace responded by instructing his Attorneys to challenge the suspension of the FIFA through the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland and filing an Injunctive Relief at the CAS which would ensure that the country is allowed to participate at the CONCACAF Gold Cup. However, the Concacaf had made a concession for T&T participation in the Gold Cub which took place four days after the ban but with the condition that the country honours FIFA requests by the deadline of December 18.

However, Wallace, who was infuriated by the suspension, also ordered his attorneys to resume the court battle with the FIFA over the legitimacy of the appointment of a normalisation committee to replace them (TTFA) as the managers of football in T&T. His decision was also contrary to the vote taken by the general membership in an unofficial meeting on September 22.

on Tuesday, FIFA General Secretary Fatma Samoura, in a letter to Normalisation Committee chairman Robert Hadad, reminded him of the suspension and the possibility of missing the CONCACAF Qualifiers if the suspension is not lifted, saying: "By way of this communication, we inform you that FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 World Cup Qualifiers for the Concacaf region (hereinafter: Concacaf World Cup Qualifiers) are scheduled to begin in March 2021. The organisation of such competition entails complex logistical and operational matters intensified by the COVID-19 crisis. In view of this, please note that FIFA has decided that, in order to ensure the proper preparation and planning of the participant teams, if the suspension imposed on the TTFA is not lifted by 18:00 CET (6:00 pm TT TIme) on 18 December 2020, we have no choice but to exclude the TTFA from participating in the Concacaf World Cup Qualifiers."

The deadline is similar to the one given on September 18 in which the TTFA had until 3:00 pm TT Time on September 23 to withdraw its court matter in the T&T High court against FIFA or be suspended.

Guardian Media Sports efforts to contact Wallace yesterday for a response proved futile, but he had made it clear in a release recently that his group will only drop their matter against the FIFA if the local court rules against them on Friday and if the court rules in their favour, his group the United TTFA, will call an Emergency General Meeting among the membership to decide on how they move forward.

Samoura assured also that FIFA will only communicate and recognise the normalisation committee: "As a result of the suspension of the TTFA's membership of FIFA, the Normalisation Committee which was appointed by FIFA has necessarily ceased all operational and management functions over the TTFA. However, we want to highlight that the only legitimate leadership of the TTFA, recognised by FIFA and Concacaf, is the one led by Mr Robert Hadad. Having said this any communication from FIFA with TTFA will continue to be exclusively being with Mr Robert Hadad. We thank you for your attention to the above."

RELATED NEWS

FIFA raises stakes on Trinidad and Tobago.
By Joel Bailey (Newsday).


FIFA has raised the stakes on the TT Football Association (TTFA), via a World Cup warning, with regards to its suspension of the local governing body on September 24.

FIFA suspended the TTFA two weeks ago for grave violation of FIFA Statutes. The former TTFA executive, led by William Wallace, missed the September 23 deadline to withdraw its legal challenge to FIFA, over the world governing body’s decision to remove the TTFA hierarchy in March, over mounting debts and install a normalisation committee, led by Robert Hadad.

The global governing body has insisted that they want the case to be heard at the Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) but the TTFA want the TT High Court to determine the matter.

FIFA secretary general Fatma Samoura issued a letter, via e-mail, to Hadad on Tuesday, stating that the 2022 FIFA World Cup Concacaf Zone Qualifiers are set to begin in March 2021. “The organisation of such competition entails complex logistical and operational matters intensified by the covid19 crisis,” Samoura wrote. “In view of this, FIFA has decided that, in order to ensure that proper preparation and planning of the participant teams, if the suspension imposed on the TTFA is not lifted by 6 pm Central European Time (noon TT time) on December 18, we have no choice to exclude the TTFA from participating in the Concacaf World Cup qualifiers.”

If the suspension is not lifted by December 18, T&T will be replaced by Antigua/Barbuda at the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup qualifiers.

The normalisation committee “has necessarily ceased all operational and management functions over the TTFA” due to FIFA’s suspension of the TTFA membership.

But FIFA insisted “the only legitimate leadership of the TTFA, recognised by FIFA and Concacaf, is the one led by Hadad.”

Wallace is hopeful this issue can move a step closer to a resolution by Friday when High Court judge Carol Gobin is expected to rule on the matter involving the ousted TTFA executive (Wallace and his deputies Clynt Taylor and Joseph Sam Phillip) and FIFA’s Bureau Council, who replaced them with the normalisation committee.

“I think all of this will be over by Friday,” said Wallace. “Hopefully, by Friday, everything should be settled.”

Asked to elaborate, Wallace replied, “Everything that we have done, we have done in the interest of T&T football, contrary to what other people think. I think settling in a positive way.”

A week ago, Hadad insisted that he was not “in charge” of T&T football, but FIFA’s letter on Tuesday stated otherwise. Wallace said, “That is something that Hadad needs to clear up, with regards to (him) saying that he’s not in charge and FIFA saying that he’s in charge.”

Also calling for good sense to prevail in this ongoing saga was T&T men’s coach Terry Fenwick.

“It’s going on longer than anticipated, longer than necessary, in my opinion,” said Fenwick. “I want to get my backroom staff together. I need to be working on the ground and ensure we’ve got the best squad available for the competitive games coming up.

“We recognise that there is a ten-day FIFA window right now and we’re not doing anything. I need to be out on the ground with my players. At the moment, football has taken a back seat, it’s just politics here in (T&T).”

Another problem afflicting T&T football is the covid19 restrictions which have prevented contact sports from taking place.

“Covid19 actually is not helping,” said Fenwick. “There is football all over the world. I’m seeing every league all over the world playing games and we’re not. So that’s a concern, the players (and) youngsters on the ground are not playing football at any level. That is actually because of the politicking that is going on behind the scenes.”

He added, “We’re falling well-behind, even within teams in (the) Caribbean that have got development programmes up and running.”

Concerning Friday’s court matter between the TTFA and the FIFA Bureau Council, Fenwick noted, “We’ve heard those same things before and it hasn’t happened, and the fight continues.

“I would have hoped that we could have had discussions from the top people to see where they can move things forward, whether there could be indeed a collaboration, so we’re helping each other to resolve this situation. The only thing it’s damaging is the youngsters on the ground.”

Hadad, via a Whatsapp message on Tuesday, was asked to comment on the letter, as well as FIFA’s confirmation that he was the legitimate leader of T&T football. The normalisation committee head did not respond up to press time.

This story was originally published with the title "FIFA issues World Cup warning to TTFA" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

FIFA has issued a World Cup warning to the TT Football Association (TTFA), with regards to its suspension of the local governing body on September 24.

FIFA suspended the TTFA two weeks ago for grave violation of FIFA Statutes. The former TTFA executive, led by William Wallace, missed the September 23 deadline to withdraw its legal challenge to FIFA, over FIFA’s decision to remove the TTFA hierarchy, over mounting debts, and install a normalisation committee, led by Robert Hadad.

FIFA secretary general Fatma Samoura issued a letter, via e-mail, to Hadad on Tuesday, stating that the 2022 FIFA World Cup Concacaf Zone Qualifiers are set to begin in March 2021.

“The organisation of such competition entails complex logistical and operational matters intensified by the covid19 crisis,” Samoura wrote. “In view of this, FIFA has decided that, in order to ensure that proper preparation and planning of the participant teams, if the suspension imposed on the TTFA is not lifted by 6 pm Central European Time (noon TT time) on December 18, we have no choice to exclude the TTFA from participating in the Concacaf World Cup qualifiers.”

If the suspension is not lifted by December 18, T&T will be replaced by Antigua/Barbuda at the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup qualifiers.

The normalisation committee “has necessarily ceased all operational and management functions over the TTFA” due to FIFA’s suspension of the TTFA membership.

But FIFA insisted “the only legitimate leadership of the TTFA, recognised by FIFA and Concacaf, is the one led by Hadad.”

FIFA issues reminder unless ban is lifted Gold Cup, World Cup out.
By Ian Prescott (Express).


FUNDING HALTED

FIFA FUNDING, which allows TTFA administrative staff and national coaches to be paid, has officially ceased.

This comes on the heels of a September 24 decision by FIFA’s Bureau of the Council to suspend the financially-burdened Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) due to grave violations of the FIFA Statutes.

This was declared yesterday by FIFA general secretary Fatma Samoura, who announced that Trinidad and Tobago will also soon be barred from participating in international competitions unless the conditions set by FIFA, for lifting an international suspension from football, are met.

“As a result of the suspension of the TTFA’s membership of FIFA, the normalisation committee which was appointed by FIFA has necessarily ceased all operational and management functions over the TTFA,” Samoura informed via email, yesterday.

“However, we want to highlight that the only legitimate leadership of the TTFA, recognised by FIFA and CONCACAF, is the one led by Mr. Robert Hadad. Having said this any communication from FIFA with TTFA will continue to be exclusively being with Mr Robert Hadad.”

Samoura added that unless the TTFA moves swiftly to have the suspension removed there be no 2020 CONCACAF Gold Cup or Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers for Trinidad and Tobago.

“FIFA has decided that, in order to ensure the proper preparation and planning of the participant teams, if the suspension imposed on the TTFA is not lifted by 18:00 CET on 18 December 2020, we have no choice but to exclude the TTFA from participating in the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers,” Samoura informed through communication with local normalisation committee chairman Robert Hadad.

In suspending T&T from international football on September 24, FIFA, and subsequently regional body CONCACAF, left the door open for T&T to participate in the two important competitions, providing two conditions were met.

“This suspension will only be lifted when the TTFA fully complies with its obligations as a member of FIFA, including recognising the legitimacy of the appointed normalisation committee and bringing its own statutes into line with the FIFA Statutes,” the world body stated.

And yesterday, Samoura reinforced that participation in the Qatar 2022 World Cup campaign is at risk as well.

“By way of this communication, we inform you that FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 World Cup Qualifiers for the CONCACAF region (hereinafter: CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers) are scheduled to begin in March 2021. The organisation of such competition entails complex logistical and operational matters intensified by the Covid-19 crisis,” Samoura noted.

Samoura’s notice comes two days before the local High Court rules on a claim brought in which United TTFA president Wallace and his vice-presidents are challenging their removal from office by FIFA and replacing them with its own normalisation committee, chaired by Hadad.

FIFA subsequently suspended T&T from football on September 24, a day after United TTFA were late in meeting a FIFA deadline to withdraw the matter from the T&T High Court. Bowing to a vote by the majority of TTFA members, Wallace and United TTFA initially opted to remove the matter from the court on September 23, but effectively returned to court a day later, when withdrawing its earlier withdrawal notice.

TTFA Board member Brent Sancho, a former T&T World Cup defender and Central FC club owner, is among those chastising Wallace’s decision to return to court in defiance of the wishes of the TTFA majority.

“While the rest of the world is vigorously focusing on how to jump-start football, two individuals are single-handedly managing to destroy what is left of the sport in Trinidad and Tobago,” said Sancho, a former Sport Minister.

He added: “FIFA’s patience is currently being tested, as discussions of expulsion of the TTFA have apparently been already started and could be implemented at any time. Let’s hope that Look Loy and Wallace realise how primarily our players are being harmed and how their dreams are being taken away from them.”

« Last Edit: October 07, 2020, 12:54:27 AM 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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Time to form a new football body
« Reply #102 on: October 07, 2020, 12:02:44 PM »
Time to form a new football body
T&T Express


Once and for all, let us correct this imbroglio—the mismanaging of our sports. For too long in Trinidad Tobago, the West Indies, the entire world, the avaricious self-interest of the few (management) has continued to stymie the survival and best interests of hard-working, aspiring professionals who passionately love what they do—their sport.

Football in Trinidad and Tobago needs to be controlled by those who best serve its full interest. Pull the football field out from under the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA). They have compromised and paralysed the very game they purport to serve. How can they even begin to deliberately act as they are doing, full-speed ahead, so as to disrupt and to sully the very future of so many of our young men and women? Our football is bigger than this obstacle.

Have T&T football managed by competent, experienced footballers with integrity—who best so to do?️ Constitute this legally. Form a new national football body—Trinidad and Tobago Soccer Ltd. Whatever.

Even if this new body is transitional, form a new legal entity. With haste, move to ensure we are given the opportunity and support to compete successfully, internationally, now.

Leave the TTFA professional management bewildered and with nothing. Expose their vacuous shell and staunch narcissism. A team of football elders with skilled, hands-on local coaches, honest accounting and advertising experts can manage all of our respective entities. Form a new football body. This—in conjunction with FIFA, the Normalisation Committee and all other authorised football bodies—could begin a new era with skilled, passionate know-how and fresh boots to rebuild our game.

It is as plain as day that many of our secondary Intercol football teams, together with their respective coaches and management, are ready for international competition. Come on, people. Form a fresh, new, clean, unscathed national entity. Bring fresh perspectives. Even a new national coaching force can be transitional. One game (success) at a time.

Across the span of all of our sporting bodies, there are competent minds, with capable skills and honest hands. Sports brings us no end of joy. Moreso, it unites us. Our young, upcoming sporting prodigies need well-intentioned, success-driven, institutional support. Come forward, T&T. We are bigger and better than this. Let the games begin.

Jennifer Dale Reece
Maraval
The Conquering Lion of Judah shall break every chain.

Offline maxg

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #103 on: October 07, 2020, 12:17:18 PM »
Next time Mrs Reece, Organize your party and vote, vote , vote.

So you don’t have to be begging other ppl to do for you before or bail you out after . :duel: :idea: :idea:

Offline socalion

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #104 on: October 07, 2020, 02:05:29 PM »
Hear nah Mrs. Reece ,  the moment you come wid this change name from the ttfa to Trinidad and Tobago soccer Ltd , (whatever)statement , ah know yuh eh ready yet ! So yuh change de name , then what ?  Look nah come again !  Why didn't you ask the Fifa executives to intervene when David John Williams was running amok while he was in office that's the change that was necessary ! Point yuh fingers in the right direction to effect change , call upon Fifa and its executives to reconcile their efforts alongside / or together with  the William Wallace elected team to sit as men and women to address de issues that's of major concerns to all involved parties ! Don't you think so Mrs Reece !

Offline Flex

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #105 on: October 08, 2020, 12:37:40 AM »
Sancho points finger; Wallace silent.
By Ian Prescott (T&T Express).


Power play

Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) board member Brent Sancho is anticipating a long suspension from international football for this country, unless the TTFA executive, headed by president William Wallace, is steered away from its present course.

Sancho has accused Wallace of attempting to hold unto power at all costs notwithstanding there will be a price to be paid. Wallace and vice-presidents Sam Phillip and Clynt Taylor have challenged their removal by world football’s governing body, FIFA, which in March installed a normalisation committee, chaired by Robert Hadad, to take over the administration of the near-insolvent TTFA, which is $100 million in debt.

“Their true objectives are crystal clear; attempt to uphold their positions, regain control of the TTFA and its funding, and continue as if their disastrous and shady stint in charge never happened,” stated Central FC owner Sancho.

Wallace heads back to the local High Court tomorrow, where Justice Carol Gobin will rule on a claim brought against FIFA, challenging the TTFA’s dismissal. FIFA has made clear its intention not to mount a defence. In its statutes, FIFA lists the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) as the only appropriate court for resolution of such disputes and has banned T&T for breaching said regulation.

“Make no mistake, the pursuit by these individuals to remain relevant, maintain a livelihood and grip to the ways of the past, is being disguised as the fight for the sovereignty of the TTFA,” stressed Sancho.

FIFA’s Bureau of the Council suspended the TTFA on September 24, due to violations of the FIFA Statutes. However, FIFA has announced it will be willing to lift the suspension if, by December 18, the TTFA complies with its obligations as a member of FIFA, including recognising the legitimacy of the FIFA-appointed normalisation committee, and also bringing its own statutes into line with FIFA Statutes. However, Sancho doubts whether Wallace’s actions will result in these conditions being met.

On Tuesday, FIFA general secretary announced that the recent suspension of the TTFA meant the withdrawal of its normalisation committee and, consequently, the funding to pay administrative staff and coaches, as well as development funding for national youth and women’s teams.

“As a result of the suspension of the TTFA’s membership of FIFA, the normalisation committee which was appointed by FIFA has necessarily ceased all operational and management functions over the TTFA,” Samoura informed via email letter.

Asked if Samoura’s letter had confirmed that he was back in charge of TTFA football, Wallace preferred to defer comment until a later date.

“That all confusing. That is the matter before the court anyway, so I don’t want to say anything until after Friday,” said Wallace. “I prefer not to comment at this point. We have a matter before the court on Friday. Any time after Friday I am willing to talk to the press, but not before.”

Samoura had also announced that T&T will be barred from participation in qualifying for the two biggest tournaments in the region, the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup and 2022 Qatar Men’s World Cup.

“FIFA will never back down, as they will not ‘operate’ in a country that will place its system in jeopardy (one out of 211 by the way),” Sancho noted.

Wallace recently lost the support of second-vice president Susan Joseph-Warrick, one of the leading protagonists in their fight against FIFA. Joseph-Warrick announced her resignation as TTFA second vice-president, from United TTFA, and as president of WoLF (Women’s League Football) after T&T’s ban by FIFA on September 24.

“Within recent times 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,” Joseph-Warrick stated when she announced her resignation.

“I believe that the end must justify the means and that our present course of actions against FIFA would not redound to the benefit of Trinidad and Tobago and to the dreams and aspirations of our present and future generations of footballers,” she had said.

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 #106 on: October 08, 2020, 11:43:30 AM »
Well with all the doom and gloom surrounding football, there's not much positives to talk about. However, President of the Veterans Football Federation of T&T Selby Browne is seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. Interestingly, he says a solution is coming closer than you think. Here's why.
The Conquering Lion of Judah shall break every chain.

Offline Flex

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #107 on: October 09, 2020, 08:33:52 AM »
TTFA staff seeks legal advice over job security
By Stephon Nicholas (Newsday).


The constant changing of leaders at the helm of the TT Football Association (TTFA) has left staff there nervous about their job security. In less than a year, the control of the TTFA has been passed around like a hot potato.

At the November 24, 2019 TTFA election, the William Wallace-led United TTFA slate replaced David John-Williams in control of the local football organisation.

However, on March 17, FIFA removed the TTFA executive and appointed a normalisation committee to run TT's football. FIFA said the move -- just four months into the new regime -- was necessary owing to TTFA's massive debt and extremely low overall financial management methods. The overning body said TTFA faced "a very real risk of insolvency and illiquidity."

The legality of this last transition has been challenged by Wallace's executive and is is currently before the High Court. It goes to trial on Friday and the ruling by Justice Carol Gobin could switch the reins of power once again.

The fight for control of the local football body has left TTFA office staff, in Couva, uneasy and they too will be seeking legal advice.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, on Thursday, a TTFA employee said the office and administrative staff, totalling 17, have held Zoom meetings on a few occasions to discuss their concerns.

The source said although some members are hesitant, a group decision was made to seek legal advice.

The employee said some workers are worried they may be victimised for assisting the FIFA-appointed normalisation committee, headed by Robert Hadad. The committee has ceased operations after FIFA suspended TT on September 25.

The staff said their concerns are not paranoia as certain staff have felt vicitimised under past administrations where it was perceived that decisions made by leaders were not supported internally.

The source said apart from addressing job security, they intend to raise concerns about NIS contributions in the last couple years.

The TTFA employee added that staff have not been paid since July, making it the second time this year they have had to go four months without salary.

The source said the situation is compounded by the covid19 pandemic and the economic impact on all families.

FIFA paid TTFA office staff a lumpsum in July after they went unpaid from March to June.

The normalisation committee and Wallace's executive have been fighting over control of the TTFA's First Citizens account and TTFA letterhead.

TTFA coaches have also complained about not being paid since the normalisation committee took over in March. The United TTFA has said it would not stand in the way of the payment of TTFA employees and coaches, despite its court battle with FIFA.

Efforts to contact Wallace for a response proved futile.

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 #108 on: October 09, 2020, 08:33:56 AM »
Justice Gobin set to rule on United TTFA's challenge.
By Jonathan Ramnanansingh (Newsday).


WAS FIFA’s decision to remove William Wallace and his executive from the helm of the TT Football Association (TTFA), in March and install a normalisation committee a violation of TTFA’s democratically elected process? Or was it justified?

These questions are expected to be answered when attorneys representing both organisations appear before High Court judge Carol Gobin in a virtual court hearing at 9.30 am on Friday.

Justice Gobin’s ruling, if any, may return Wallace’s regime to the top of local football, although the sport’s global governing body, in a letter issued on Tuesday, insisted “the only legitimate leadership of the TTFA, recognised by FIFA and CONCACAF, is the one led by Robert Hadad,” chairman of the normalisation committee.

Gobin is not mandated to give a final decision on this matter on Friday.

FIFA’s decision to remove Wallace’s administration was due to the TTFA's mounting debt, which was TT $50 million.

On September 24, T&T was indefinitely suspended from all FIFA-sanctioned tournaments “due to grave violations of the FIFA Statutes.”

FIFA’s statement said the suspension was prompted by the ousted administration lodging a claim before a local court to contest the decision of the FIFA Council to appoint a normalisation committee for the TTFA.

“This course of action was in direct breach of article 59 of the FIFA Statutes, which expressly prohibits recourse to ordinary courts unless specifically provided for in the FIFA regulations.”

FIFA’s September 24 statement also said, “The decision of the former leadership to go to a local court to contest the appointment of the normalisation committee jeopardises not only the future of football in TT but also endangers the overall global football governance structure, which relies on the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) as the exclusive forum for resolving disputes of this nature.

“The relevant parties were initially given until 16 September to withdraw the case but failed to do so. This deadline was then extended until 23 September, which was not respected either. In the circumstances, the Bureau of the FIFA Council has decided to suspend the TTFA.”

On September 25, Wallace’s United TTFA team, after previously questioning the impartiality of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland, has returned to the Swiss-based court to fight FIFA’s suspension.

Wallace’s team initially complied with FIFA’s request but withdrew from the legal fight at 3.02 pm on September 23 – two minutes after the 3 pm deadline set by the world body – to escape suspension proceedings. FIFA, however, showed no leniency.

On Tuesday, it issued a reminder that the suspension must be lifted by noon (TT time) on December 18 or else T&T will be withdrawn from participation in the Concacaf World Cup qualifiers.

United TTFA will now fight the FIFA suspension at CAS and, on September 24, “gave instructions to the TTFA attorneys to file an emergency appeal with CAS, challenging the sole issue of suspension.”

This was revealed in a document Wallace issued on September 25, which said, “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.”

CAS was rejected by the United TTFA during the early stages of the legal battle, as its 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 normalisation committee was appointed in March, Wallace’s team took FIFA to CAS.

Two weeks later, the ousted executive (which includes vice-presidents Clynt Taylor and Joseph Sam Phillip) turned to the High Court in its fight, although, according to FIFA’s statutes, the matter was mandated to be heard at CAS.

RELATED NEWS

Justice Carol Gobin presides over FIFA/TTFA matter today
Ian Prescott (T&T Express).


CASE BEGINS

EXILED Trinidad and Tobago Football Association president William Wallace and vice-presidents, Clynth Taylor and Sam Phillip, will finally have their day in court today.

High Court Justice Carol Gobin will, at 9.30 a.m. today, preside over a claim brought by the former TTFA officials who have challenged their dismissal in March by football’s governing body, FIFA.

After removing Wallace’s executive, FIFA appointed a normalisation committee headed by local businessman Robert Hadad to run the Association which is some $100m in debt. Today’s case is not expected to run a protracted course. FIFA has indicated it will not contest the matter, leaving the appellant — the TTFA — likely to win by default.

“Please be informed that FIFA did not file a defence in the case against the TTFA in the Trinidad High Court,” a spokesman from the Communications Division of the FIFA Media Department confirmed in response to Express enquiries last month.

“FIFA’s position remains that we do not recognise the claim at the Trinidad court, and that the CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport) is the only correct tribunal to consider this dispute,” the FIFA spokesperson added.

FIFA’s only involvement in the case so far has been to argue jurisdiction during earlier hearings. However, on August 13, Justice Gobin ruled in Wallace’s favour by ruling that the local High Court was the appropriate venue for hearing of the TTFA’s claim. Legal representatives of both parties argued their positions during a virtual High Court hearing before Justice Gobin.

Representing the TTFA were attorneys Dr Emir Crowne and Matthew Gayle, while Christopher Hamil-Smith represented FIFA.

Hamel-Smith argued that FIFA’s statutes prohibited the TTFA from taking the matter to a local court and that the Switzerland-based CAS was the only appropriate forum to decide such disputes.

Quoting FIFA’s statutes extensively, Hamel-Smith also argued that in becoming a member of FIFA, the TTFA agreed to abide by those statutes.

“(Article) 59.3 says the Association shall insert a clause in its statutes or regulations stipulating that the association, meaning the TTFA, is prohibited to take the disputes of the association or disputes of League members and clubs to ordinary courts unless the FIFA regulations, all binding regulations, specifically provide.”

Crowne’s argument centred around the constitutional protection afforded to the TTFA by it being incorporated by an act of the Trinidad and Tobago Parliament.

He argued that such protection cannot be completely stripped away by the statutes of an outside body such as the Swiss-based FIFA.

Further, Crowne termed a key clause in FIFA’s statutes as being “unconscionable” because of the inequality in bargaining power between FIFA and its members when they join the world organisation.

“When FIFA says so, apparently the world must bend to its whim. But we submit that is not appropriate,” Crowne stated.

TTFA case reaches juncture.
By Derek Achong (Guardian).


Embattled T&T Football Association (TTFA) president William Wallace and his United TTFA executive team’s lawsuit against FIFA is expected to kick off on Friday with Justice Carol Gobin as referee.

During the virtual hearing, Gobin is expected to hear submissions in the case before delivering her decision or reserving it until a later date.

Guardian Media Sports understands that FIFA’s legal team attempted to make last ditched tackle on the eve of the case as they appealed to Gobin to defer her ruling earlier this week.

In correspondence to Gobin and the opposing side, attorney Cherie Gopie suggested that the expedited resolution of the case was not necessary in the circumstances as the Normalisation Committee, appointed by FIFA in March to replace Wallace and his team, had essentially ceased to function as a result of her client’s decision to indefinitely suspend the TTFA’s membership because of the case.

Gopie also reiterated FIFA’s position that active participation in the case before Gobin could compromise its position in its pending appeal over her jurisdiction to hear the substantive case on October 19.

Responding to Gopie, the TTFA’s lawyer Matthew Gayle objected to the postponement as he noted that the issues to be resolved are wider than suggested by FIFA.

He noted that FIFA had previously attempted to have the proceedings stayed on similar grounds but was denied.

Gobin eventually agreed with Gayle and rejected the proposed move.

On Monday, Appeal Court Judge Malcolm Holdip granted the TTFA’s application for security of costs for the appeal.

Holdip ordered FIFA to pay $60,000 to the court in the event that the TTFA successfully defends the appeal and is entitled to reimbursement of the legal costs incurred in defending it.

Through the lawsuit, Wallace and his three vice presidents — Clynt Taylor, Joseph Sam Phillips, and Susan Joseph-Warrick are seeking a declaration that the decision to remove them in March and replace them with a committee comprising of businessman Robert Hadad, attorney Judy Daniels, and retired banker Nigel Romano was null, void, and of no legal or binding effect.

They are also seeking a permanent injunction barring FIFA from meddling in the TTFA’s affairs by allegedly seeking to circumvent the democratic process by removing duly elected executive members.

Gobin has also been asked to decide whether FIFA’s statutes, under which the replacement was done, are in conformity with the local legislation, which established the association.

Wallace and his team initially brought proceedings against FIFA in the Court for Arbitration for Sport (CAS) but were forced to withdraw as they could not pay the 40,000 Swiss francs (TT$276,000) in associated costs.

Their position was partly due to FIFA’s policy to not pay its share of the fees and CAS’s rules, which require the other party to pay the full costs when the other fails in its obligations.

After the case was filed, FIFA applied for it to be struck out as it claimed that the TTFA by virtue of its membership with FIFA agreed to forgo all legal action in local courts in favour of proceedings before the CAS.

The application was initially blanked by Gobin, who ruled that the local courts are the appropriate forum to resolve the dispute.

While the appeal against her ruling still pending, Gobin set the date for the trial of the case as October 9 and gave FIFA an extension to file its defence. FIFA failed to meet the deadline as it maintained it position that it did not accept the jurisdiction of the court in the matter.

Wallace and his team also obtained an injunction against the normalisation committee after it attempted to facilitate a extraordinary meeting among members to vote to withdraw the case.

The injunction, which will remain in place until discharged by Gobin, was not opposed by FIFA and was granted.

Wallace and his team attempted to withdraw the case on FIFA’s extended ultimatum of September 23 but filed the application to withdraw, which still had to be determined before the case could be considered officially withdrawn, 23 minutes past the deadline (3 pm TT time).

After FIFA’s suspension the following day, Wallace and his team filed another application to withdraw the withdrawal application, in which he admitted that he was grudgingly discontinuing the case based on a majority vote during an emergency meeting between his team and stakeholders.

The legal manoeuvre coincided with an announcement from second vice president Joseph-Warrick, that she was resigning from her post and as president of the Women’s League Football (WoLF) on September 25.

The United TTFA also approached the CAS for a temporary stay of this country’s suspension to allow its participation in Concacaf’s 2021 Gold Cup draw on September 28.

The hearing of the injunction application was deferred after Concacaf announced that its council had met and agreed to conditionally keep T&T’s place in the draw.

In the event, that the suspension is not lifted by either FIFA or the CAS by 5 pm on December 18, T&T will be replaced by Antigua and Barbuda as the next highest ranked team based on performances during the 2019 Concacaf Nations League.

Wallace and his colleagues are also being represented by Dr Emir Crowne, Crystal Paul, and Jason Jones, while Christopher Hamel-Smith, SC, and Jonathan Walker are also appearing for FIFA.

« Last Edit: October 09, 2020, 08:41:23 AM 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 #109 on: October 09, 2020, 09:08:10 AM »
WATCH: Discussing the TTFA/FIFA drama with Wired868 Editor Lasana Liburd

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/c3i8EtG_kbg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/c3i8EtG_kbg</a>
The Conquering Lion of Judah shall break every chain.

Offline maxg

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #110 on: October 09, 2020, 01:25:38 PM »
So our honor said ?.....

Offline Tallman

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #111 on: October 09, 2020, 05:17:06 PM »
So our honor said ?.....

October 13th.
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Offline Flex

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #112 on: October 10, 2020, 09:32:20 AM »
Judge Gobin reserves judgement in TTFA, FIFA battle
By Derek Achong (Guardian).


After months of battling off the field and in the courtroom, embattled T&T Football Association (TTFA) president William Wallace and his United TTFA executive team will have to wait three more days to learn the fate of their controversial lawsuit against FIFA.

High Court Judge Carol Gobin reserved her decision in the case to Tuesday at 3 pm, after hearing submissions from lawyers representing Wallace and his team during a virtual trial, yesterday morning.

Although FIFA's local legal team was present, they did not challenge or defend against the the executive members' submissions as they maintained that they had received instructions to not play a role because of their client does not accept the court's jurisdiction to hear the case.

However, Senior Counsel Christopher Hamel-Smith, who leads FIFA's legal team, opened the hearing with a request to defer the case.

Hamel-Smith pointed out that by virtue of FIFA's decision to suspend the TTFA's membership, last month, the Normalisation Committee led by businessman Robert Hadad, which was appointed by FIFA to replace the executive in March, ceased to function.

"If they want to run the TTFA, that is entirely their business. Their is certainly nothing stopping it based on FIFA's suspension," Hamel-Smith said, as he noted the FIFA's appeal over the jurisdiction to hear the case is carded for October 19.

Responding to Hamel-Smith, the executive's attorney Dr Emir Crowne suggested that FIFA had attempted the maneuver previously and failed.

"When FIFA does not get its way it does not know what to do. They are not accustomed to that," Crowne said.

Gobin questioned FIFA's claim over the executive's ability to take control of the the association as she pointed out that it maintained that it only recognises the committee.

She also criticised it for repeatedly stating that it does not recognise the jurisdiction of local courts while using the court system to challenge her decision to continue with the case before the Court of Appeal.

"It makes a mockery of our system if a party is not willing to accept the rule of law in this country," she said before rejecting the proposal.

Presenting submissions in the substantive case, Crowne claimed that FIFA's statutes, which speak to the appointment of such committees to member federations and associations, was too vague to be considered legitimately binding as they only provide for such a process in "extraordinary circumstances".

He said that at the time of the announcement FIFA claimed that the decision was based on the association's potential insolvency but provided no further information.

"There is rampant speculation but that is not evidence," Crowne said.

He said that fairness required his clients be given an opportunity to respond before the decision was taken as they have maintained that they inherited the association's dire financial situation, when they were elected in November, last year.

"As has been shown before FIFA and fairness probably do not go hand in hand," Crowne said.

In terms of compatibility with the local legislation which established the TTFA and prescribes how it should be governed, Crowne stated that Parliament did not expressly recognise the supremacy of FIFA's laws in it.

He stated that his clients did not have the remit to change the local legislation as requested by FIFA as a condition to lifting the indefinite suspension.

"It can not be that a private oganisation in Zurich, Switzerland, overrides this country's Parliament," Crowne said.

Crowne was questioned by Gobin over his clients' decision to seek an injunction from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), also based in Switzerland, over the suspension when it challenged FIFA's claim that that body is the correct one to preside over the substantive dispute.

Crowne said that the costs for the injunction was marginal compared to the substantive case. He also noted that the suspension issue occured outside of local jurisdiction.

"It is a private arbitration body for profit. It is not a court," Crowne said.

Wallace and his colleagues are also being represented by Matthew Gayle, Crystal Paul and Jason Jones, while Jonathan Walker and Cherie Gopie appeared alongside Hamel-Smith for FIFA.

ABOUT THE CASE (SIDE BAR)

Through the lawsuit, Wallace and his three vice presidents — Clynt Taylor, Joseph Sam Phillips, and Susan Joseph-Warrick are seeking a declaration that the decision to remove them in March and replace them with a committee comprising of businessman Robert Hadad, attorney Judy Daniels, and retired banker Nigel Romano was null, void, and of no legal or binding effect.

They are also seeking a permanent injunction barring FIFA from meddling in the TTFA's affairs by allegedly seeking to circumvent the democratic process by removing duly elected executive members.

Gobin has also been asked to decide whether FIFA's statutes, under which the replacement was done, are in conformity with the local legislation, which established the association.

Wallace and his team initially brought proceedings against FIFA in the Court for Arbitration for Sport (CAS) but were forced to withdraw as they could not pay the the 40,000 Swiss francs (TT$276,000) in associated costs.

Their position was partly due to FIFA's policy to not pay its share of the fees and CAS's rules, which require the other party to pay the full costs when the other fails in its obligations.

After the case was filed, FIFA applied for it to be struck out as it claimed that the TTFA by virtue of its membership with FIFA agreed to forgo all legal action in local courts in favour of proceedings before the CAS.

The application was initially blanked by Gobin, who ruled that the local courts are the appropriate forum to resolve the dispute.

While the appeal against her ruling still pending, Gobin set the date for the trial of the case and gave FIFA an extension to file its defence. FIFA failed to meet the deadline as it maintained it position that it did not accept the jurisdiction of the court in the matter.

Wallace and his team also obtained an injunction against the normalisation committee after it attempted to facilitate a extraordinary meeting among members to vote to withdraw the case.

The injunction, which will remain in place until discharged by Gobin, was not opposed by FIFA and was granted.

Wallace and his team attempted to withdraw the case on FIFA's extended ultimatum of September 23 but filed the application to withdraw, which still had to be determined before the case could be considered officially withdrawn, two minutes past the deadline.

After FIFA's suspension the following day, Wallace and his team filed another application to withdraw the withdrawal application, in which he admitted that he was grudgingly discontinuing the case based on a majority vote during an emergency meeting between his team and stakeholders.

The legal maneuver coincided with an announcement from second vice president Joseph-Warrick, that she was resigning from her post.

The United TTFA also approached the CAS for a temporary stay of this country's suspension to allow its participation in

Concacaf's 2021 Gold Cup draw on September 28.

The hearing of the injunction application was deferred after Concacaf announced that its council had met and agreed to conditionally keep T&T's place in the draw.

In the event, that the suspension is not lifted by either FIFA or the CAS by 5 pm on December 18, T&T will be replaced by Antigua and Barbuda as the next highest ranked team based on performances during the 2019 Concacaf Nations League.

RELATED NEWS

Justice Gobin to rule on TTFA challenge on Tuesday.
By Jada Loutoo (Newsday).


FIFA, the world governing body for football, has been issued a yellow card by the judge who has to determine if it acted lawfully when it appointed a normalisation committee to oversee the affairs of local football.

Justice Carol Gobin on Friday suggested FIFA was making a mockery of the rule of law as it continuously cannot, through its local attorneys, say if it would accept the court’s jurisdiction and any declarations it may make.

“Has FIFA changed its position? Is it prepared to abide by any declaration this court makes?” Gobin asked.

“There should never be a question about this. It makes a mockery of the system to be engaging in this if a party will not confirm if it will abide by the rule of law, observe the rule of law and respect the rule of law in this country,” she said in response to FIFA’s attorney Christopher Hamel-Smith’s submission that he had no instructions on a change of position.

The judge’s rebuff came after she was asked to defer Friday’s trial since, according to FIFA, the normalisation committee has ceased to function now that the TTFA has been suspended from international football.

Hamel-Smith said if the TTFA wanted to run the association “that is entirely their business.”

He said there was nothing stopping Wallace and his team from doing so because of the suspension which took effect on September 24, banning TT’s national team and its clubs from participating in any international competitions.

In resisting any deferral of the trial, Dr Emir Crowne, who leads a team on behalf of Wallace and his executive, accused FIFA of constantly changing the goal post by failing to state its position on if they recognised the court’s jurisdiction.

Crowne said it appeared to be a “recurring theme” by FIFA to introduce “self-inflicted frustration” by orchestrating a change in circumstances themselves.

“It is almost as if they don’t know what they want. They say the normalisation committee has ceased all operational and management functions yet when you look at their letter, they say the only legitimately leadership of the TTFA is the one led by Robert Hadad. They are not even saying normalisation committee anymore. Now, they are saying the leadership is Robert Hadad.

“If this is a proper ground for a matter to be deferred, then any defendant can write a letter to itself and introduce material changes.”

Crowne said FIFA was accustomed to getting its way, and so “it tries every maneuver it can to achieve what it wants.”

Gobin said it appeared to be some inconsistency in FIFA’s position by coming to the court to ask it to apply the overriding objectives by deferring the matter “but you make it clear that the fact of this matter remaining for determination before this court really doesn’t make a difference to you in one way or the other.

“How can you reject the authority of the court and then ask it to apply the overriding objective. It seems contradictory. You ask me to await the outcome of an appeal… How do you justify asking me to defer this when we have a claimant who has been anxious, has complied with all the directions of the court, who has applied for injunctive relief when the matter was pending, yet you’re intent to ignore the process. Doesn’t that make a mockery of what we are doing here?” the judge questioned before hearing submissions on the United TTFA’s substantive challenge.

Gobin is expected to give her decision next week Tuesday at 3pm by e-mail.

She has been asked to determine if Wallace and his executive’s removal from the helm of the local football body in March, and appoint a normalisation committee, was justified or in violation of local laws.

FIFA has said the decision to remove Wallace’s administration in March was because of the TTFA’s mounting debt, which was TT$50 million. A normalisation committee, led by Hadad, was appointed, and then came the suspension last month after the TTFA failed to withdraw its legal action in time. FIFA said the sanction was “due to grave violations of the FIFA statutes.”

In his submissions, Crowne argued that FIFA's statutes on the appointment of a normalisation committee for a member federation was vague and had no legal certainty as it only says it would be done in “extraordinary circumstances but nothing more.”

He said FIFA only said the reason for the appointment was the “high debt and potential insolvency” but did not ask for an explanation. He added that Wallace’s administration inherited the debts and there was no evidence before the court to suggest it was proper to normalise.

“We are not entirely sure what these circumstances were,’ he said, adding that there was “rampant speculation” but no evidence.

Crowne also accused FIFA of using a hammer and chainsaw against the TTFA.

“As has been shown before, FIFA and fairness probably don't go hand in hand,” he said.

In his submissions on the TTFA Incorporation Act, Crowne said it sets out how an executive is elected and the duration of its terms. He admitted the Act did not mention TTFA’s membership in FIFA but argued that parliament did not expressly adopt FIFA statutes.

He said it could not be that a private organisation in Zurich, Switzerland, can override this country’s parliament.

Crowne argued that the change in the law in line with FIFA’s statutes and which has been advocated by FIFA for the lifting of the suspension was out of his clients’ hands and was solely the remit of Parliament.

He also said FIFA statutes were inconsistent since, on one hand, it spoke of the normalisation committee but still noted that the world governing body would only recognise duly-elected representatives from member associations.

On FIFA’s insistence that the TTFA’s complaints be heard by the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS), Crowne said that was not an option because of that tribunal’s unreasonable requirements. He also said the CAS was a private arbitration body for-profit and not a court.

Crowne also, in response to a question by Gobin, said the TTFA went to the CAS on the suspension issue.

He was questioned by Gobin over an inconsistency in his statement with the fact that TTFA went to CAS over the suspension, saying a stay application was significantly less costly there than its appeal against the normalisation committee.

The CAS was rejected by the United TTFA during the early stages of the legal battle as it claimed that a number of irregularities have arisen, irregularities that have caused the association to believe its right to a fair hearing has impinged.

After the normalisation committee was appointed in March, Wallace’s team took FIFA to CAS.

Two weeks later, the ousted executive turned to the High Court in its fight, although, according to FIFA’s statutes, the matter was mandated to be heard at CAS.

FIFA has not entered a defence in the matter.

The TTFA is also represented by attorneys Matthew Gayle, Crystal Paul, and Jason Jones.

Throws out FIFA appeal, notes authority issue ongoing
Rickie Ramdass (T&T Express).


Judge to rule on TTFA case Tuesday

BY 3 p.m. next Tuesday the High Court will deliver its ruling in a legal claim brought by William Wallace, ousted president of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) and other officials against their dismissal in March by the world’s football governing body, FIFA.

Presiding over the trial yesterday was Justice Carol Gobin, who, prior to proceeding with the matter, shot down an application by FIFA’s lead counsel Christopher Hamel-Smith, SC, for the claim to be adjourned pending the hearing of an appeal filed by his client against one of the judge’s previous rulings.

In dismissing the application, Justice Gobin said FIFA was making “a mockery” of the rule of law in Trinidad and Tobago.

One of the main bases for Hamel-Smith’s application was that subsequent to the last court hearing, when the judge set yesterday’s trial date, FIFA had taken the decision to cease all operational and management functions of the normalisation committee it had appointed to replace the TTFA board.

As a direct result of this decision, the attorney said, Williams and the rest of the former executive members were now free to regain control of the TTFA if they so desired.

Therefore, he said there was no need for the trial to proceed with any urgency.

The other limb of his application was that when the appeal comes up for hearing later this month, the Court of Appeal may very well find that the local court was not the proper forum for the dispute to be heard and settled, as FIFA is arguing.

If this happens to be the case, Hamel-Smith contended there would be no need for the claim to proceed to trial.

“The TTFA has achieved a large part of what they were seeking to achieve which is, they have gotten the normalisation committee to down their tools and they have a clear way if they choose to do sh..,” Hamel-Smith said, before Justice Gobin interjected.

“Are you serious, Mr Hamel-Smith? The TTFA have gotten them to do that? The TTFA came to the court and got a limited injunction on the last occasion but further to that and even as the correspondence of the 6th of October says, the issue as to who is in charge has not been settled. In fact, it is clear that it is ongoing for everybody else except for FIFA,” said the judge.

Pressed further by Justice Gobin, Hamel-Smith admitted that if Williams and the other former executives were to decide to re-take control of the TTFA, all of its football activities would have to take place only within Trinidad and Tobago since it would be taking place outside of the FIFA system.

However, it would not be allowed to take part in any activities outside of the jurisdiction.

Authority of the court

In response, attorney Dr Emir Crowne—one of TTFA’s attorneys—said the application should be dismissed.

He said the court had already made its decision for the trial to proceed on yesterday’s date.

“The change in circumstances is one occasioned by FIFA. If I were to draw an analogy, it would be like self-induced frustration in a contract perspective.

“FIFA themselves, it is like they don’t know what they want. They have occasioned this change in circumstances and it is improper that they can indirectly or directly interfere with these proceedings through their own acts,” he said.

Crowne went on to say the latest change of circumstances was an indication that “when FIFA does not know what to do, it tries every manoeuver it thinks is available to achieve what it wants.”

Justice Gobin continued to question Hamel-Smith.

She said one thing she has not been able to get out of her mind was the fact that on two occasions, FIFA indicated it had no intention of recognising the authority of the court.

“Has there been any change in that position because it seems to me there is an inconsistency in coming to the court and asking the court to grant indulgences to apply the over-riding objectives when at the same time you are making it absolutely clear and you continue to make clear the fact that this matter remains for determination before this court really doesn’t make a difference to you at the end of the day.”

She said a litigant cannot on one hand reject the authority of the court and then request that the same court grant applications in its favour.

In response to her question, Hamel-Smith said he did not receive any instructions from his client with regard to that issue.

Justice Gobin said there should never even be a question of the authority of the court.

“It makes a mockery of our system to be engaging in this if a party will not confirm that it is prepared to be bound by the rule of law and to observe the rule of law and to have respect for the rule of law in this country,” she said, before dismissing the application and allowing the matter to proceed to trial.

Given the ruling, Hamel-Smith said he had received instructions from FIFA to not make any submissions at trial if the court had so ruled, since to date it has not filed any defence.

Because of this, only Crowne and the TTFA’s other attorney Matthew Gayle were given the opportunity to present arguments to the court.

Following the completion of those submissions, Justice Gobin said she needed a few days to prepare her judgment.

She stated that on Tuesday, no later than 3 p.m., the judgment will be e-mailed to the attorneys for both sides.

« Last Edit: October 10, 2020, 09:44:02 AM by Flex »
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Offline Flex

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #113 on: October 10, 2020, 09:37:45 AM »
William Wallace vows to stick to his word.
By Jonathan Ramnanansingh (Newsday).


OUSTED president of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) William Wallace has vowed to stick to his word and immediately convene an Annual General Meeting (AGM) with the TTFA membership to chart a way forward, if High Court Justice Carol Gobin rules in favour of the former TTFA executive (which includes vice-presidents Clynt Taylor and Joseph Sam Phillip).

The TT Football Association (TTFA) will know on Tuesday, at 3 pm, if FIFA’s decision to remove Wallace and his executive from the helm of the local football body in March, and appoint a normalisation committee, was justified or in violation of local laws.

Justice Gobin said at a virtual hearing on Friday that she will give her decision by e-mail.

However, if Justice Gobin rules in favour of the world governing body, the FIFA-appointed normalisation committee, led by businessman Robert Hadad, assumes its role as head of the local fraternity.

A victory for FIFA, according to Wallace, would bring to an end a seven-month legal battle between the two football organisations.

Wallace said on Friday, “We are waiting Justice Gobin’s decision on Tuesday and that would determine how we go forward. As we indicated earlier, we would call an AGM immediately if we are victorious. And if the decision goes the other way, then we walk away from this. There would be no appeal by the United TTFA.”

Newsday also attempted to get a response from Hadad, on Justice Gobin’s decision, but calls to his phone went unanswered.

At the November 24, 2019 TTFA election, the William Wallace-led United TTFA slate was elected to take charge of the local football organisation.

On March 17, FIFA removed the TTFA executive and appointed a normalisation committee to run TT's football.

FIFA said the move was necessary owing to TTFA's massive debt, extremely low overall financial management methods and “a very real risk of insolvency and illiquidity.”

The legality of this last transition has been challenged by Wallace's executive with Justice Gobin set to make a judgment on Tuesday.

FIFA, though, did not file a defence in the case against the TTFA in the local court. The world governing body maintains its stance that it does “not recognise the claim at the Trinidad court, and that the CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport) is the only correct tribunal to consider this dispute.”

RELATED NEWS

Wallace vows to call meeting of TTFA membership following ruling on Tuesday.
By Ian Prescott (Express).


‘THAT’S IT’

Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president William Wallace is promising to give notice of a TTFA annual general meeting (AGM) next Wednesday, provided High Court Judge Justice Carol Gobin rules in his favour the day prior.

Yesterday, Wallace and his exiled TTFA vice-presidents, Clynt Taylor and Sam Phillip, had their day in court. They had challenged FIFA’s decision on March 17, to dismiss the Association’s executive, and then impose its own normalisation committee, headed by businessman Robert Hadad, to manage T&T’s football affairs.

In employing their course of action, FIFA cited their reason as being the TTFA’s massive debt of over $50 million, poor management, and a real risk of insolvency of the TTFA.

“Once we get the ruling on Tuesday, we will send out the notice by Wednesday,” said Wallace.

“If the matter does not go in our favour then we walk away,” he pledged.

Yesterday, Justice Gobin deferred judgment to at latest 3 p.m. on Tuesday, October 13. Gobin mainly heard submissions from Wallace’s legal team, from the New City Chambers, in the lawsuit against FIFA. Dr Emir Crowne, Matthew Gayle, Jason Jones and Crystal Paul represented the TTFA.

Wallace’s executive turned to the local court after withdrawing its initial challenge in the Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Going to the local court flouted FIFA’s statutes, resulting in the TTFA being suspended from international football on September 24. FIFA has repeatedly said it does not recognise the jurisdiction of the local court.

FIFA’s position remains that it does not recognise the claim at the Trinidad court, and that the CAS is the only appropriate tribunal to consider the dispute. Therefore, while FIFA’s legal team of Christopher Hamel-Smith SC, Jonathan Walker and Cherie Gopie, sat in on the virtual hearing, they were under instruction not to participate into subjective matter. However, at times they interjected on other matters in the proceedings.

One such moment saw Justice Gobin asking Hamel-Smith if Wallace’s executive is back in charge of the TTFA. “The TTFA is no longer part of the FIFA system,” said Hamel-Smith, adding that there was nothing stopping Wallace from assuming control of the TTFA, with FIFA having suspended the Association and withdrawn its normalisation committee.

Following yesterday’s events, Wallace told the Express that “immediately” upon Justice Gobin’s decision on Tuesday, he would accede to the wishes of the majority of the TTFA membership and call an AGM — its purpose being to dictate the future course of local football.

“If the matter is in our favour, the AGM will be called immediately. If not, and we lose, that is it. There will be no appeal or anything else,” Wallace affirmed.

Meanwhile, TTFA board member Brent Sancho said Wallace had reneged on a previous promise to heed the wishes of the majority of TTFA delegates and should either resign, or be forced out.

“The membership should be the ones calling an EGM (Emergency General Meeting) and taking away whatever power he (Wallace) feels he has because we are now going to continue to allow him to run this thing into the ground,” said Sancho. “It’s been a devastating, almost year, of his leadership, which would have caused this body (TTFA) $14 million more in debt, after the other presidents would have failed us in the past as well.”

Yesterday, Wallace gave the impression of a warrior who had fought a good fight, but in the face of insurmountable odds was now tired of the long, hard battle. He said his fight was to be given a fair hearing and the right to defend himself -- a right he felt FIFA denied when dissolving his four-month-old administration, without giving them a chance to defend themselves.

“For me, when this normalisation committee was installed, there was never an opportunity to defend ourselves, although I asked for it in writing, seven days later, in a letter to the president of FIFA,” adding, “We went to CAS thereafter for a chance to be heard. We were frustrated out of that by FIFA not cooperating, and at least I got a chance to be heard in my local court. That’s it for me.”

« Last Edit: October 10, 2020, 09:45:34 AM 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 maxg

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #114 on: October 10, 2020, 10:15:16 PM »
So our honor said ?.....

October 13th.
Hope Madam Justice get the correct turkey over the weekend.   :devil:

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #115 on: October 11, 2020, 12:48:26 AM »
Fifa deferral request denied, plus mysterious new TTFA affidavits add to High Court drama.
By Lasana Liburd (wired868).


Madame Justice Carol Gobin will proceed with Friday’s High Court case between Fifa and the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA), despite a late request by the former party for a deferral.

The main issues for determination by the High Court on 9 October are:

1. Whether the purported appointment of a normalisation committee by [Fifa] on the 17th March 2020 was lawful;

2. Whether The Federation Internationale De Football Association Statute 8(2) is compatible with the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (Incorporation) Act 1982;

3. Whether in any case Fifa has complied with its own Statutes in the purported appointment of a normalisation committee. Whether there were exceptional circumstances to justify the invocation of Statute 8(2);

4. Whether on the evidence and in the circumstances of the case, the decision to appoint a normalisation committee was reasonable and made in good faith or whether it was motivated by improper reasons including a bad faith.

By Fifa’s own words, the upcoming court date is an awkward one and, after setting two deadlines, the Bureau of the Fifa Council—headed by president Gianni Infantino—suspended the TTFA for its refusal to squash the case on 23 September.

“The decision of the former leadership to go to a local court to contest the appointment of the normalisation committee,” stated the Fifa Bureau, on 24 September, “jeopardises not only the future of football in Trinidad and Tobago but also endangers the overall global football governance structure, which relies on the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) as the exclusive forum for resolving disputes of this nature…”

TTFA president William Wallace noted that his team did try to withdraw the case but was punished for being two minutes past the deadline. While, in the other camp, sources suggest Fifa’s real issue was that the the TTFA’s attorneys never officially informed its party of the ultimately short-lived withdrawal.

The TTFA, represented legally by Dr Emir Crowne, Matthew Gayle, Jason Jones and Crystal Paul, recently asked permission from the High Court to submit documents related to its suspension by 11am today.

This request prompted Madame Justice Gobin, at midday on Monday, to ask both parties whether there were ‘any additional issues which parties consider are still left for consideration or determination’.

Fifa, represented locally by Christopher Hamel-Smith SC, Jonathan Walker and Cherie Gopie, informed the High Court, at 3.30pm yesterday, that it ‘has necessarily ceased all operational and management functions over the TTFA’—as a result of the international suspension.

In fact, Fifa secretary general Fatma Samoura only informed normalisation committee chairman Robert Hadad on that very morning he was being put on pause.

Fifa’s attorneys suggested yesterday afternoon that, as a result of this ‘significant’ development, Justice Gobin should ‘hold her hand’ until after the Court of Appeal decides, on 19 October, whether the legal dispute ought to have instead been moved to the CAS or dismissed outright.

“In the light of this significant change of circumstances, we are respectfully of the view that there can be no pressing need which might justify proceeding with a trial of this matter on the extremely expedited basis previously directed by Her Ladyship,” stated Gopie. “Rather, we submit that it would be more proportionate and in keeping with the overriding objective to defer the hearing of this trial to a date following the determination of [Fifa’s] pending procedural appeal, which engages the issue of jurisdiction and the validity of the claim at issue.

“Since [Fifa’s] procedural appeal will be heard on 19 October 2020, a deferral of the trial such as we are suggesting would only have to be for a very short period.

“Not only would this result in the most efficient use of the Court’s (and the parties’) resources, but it will also give due consideration and weight to the fact that [Fifa] would be unable to participate substantively in the trial if it were to proceed before the Court of Appeal hears its procedural appeal—since this would risk prejudicing [Fifa’s] position on the issues raised in the procedural appeal.”

Notably, although Fifa suggested that its normalisation committee ceased operating, Samoura also stressed that: ‘the only legitimate leadership of the TTFA, recognised by Fifa and Concacaf, is the one led by Mr Robert Hadad [and] any communication from Fifa with TTFA will continue to be exclusively being (sic) with Mr Robert Hadad’.

Gayle considered the two things to be ‘contradictory’ and said his clients would much prefer to wait a few days for Madame Justice Gobin’s legal determination.

“My view is that this is a matter which is subject to the determination of the court on Friday,” Gayle told Wired868, “and I would have expected Fifa, like the claimant, to wait for the court to rule on Friday rather than attempt to predetermine the judgment.

“My understanding of the issues of the case is that it is broader than [whether or not the normalisation committee is still active]. But the judge will decide on Friday, as a matter of law, who is in charge of the TTFA.”

In response to Gopie’s suggestion, the TTFA’s legal team contended that Fifa was using arguments already dismissed by the High Court, when Madame Justice Gobin, opted to hear the substantive matter on 9 October—before the appeal against her decision to do so.

“It would appear that [Fifa], having been unsuccessful on its application for a Stay of these Proceedings and having not filed a similar Application before the Court of Appeal,” stated Jones, “is now advancing similar arguments in support of its request for a deferral of the trial date. It is the [TTFA’s] understanding that these arguments have already been properly determined by this Court.”

Madame Justice Gobin blanked Fifa’s request.

Intriguingly, TTFA’s attorneys also made a pointed reference to its international suspension by Fifa.

“[The TTFA] finds it unfortunate that [Fifa], after appointing its normalisation committee—the lawfulness of which is a matter for determination by this Court—has suspended the [TTFA’s] membership owing to [Fifa’s] instant claim,” stated Jones, “and now seeks to rely on those circumstances to further delay the trial and/or the Court’s determination of the [TTFA’s] claim.

“[Fifa’s] recent suspension of the [TTFA’s] membership on the 24th September 2020 introduced a new condition to have the suspension lifted; namely, that the [TTFA] ‘bring its own statutes into line with the Fifa Statutes’.

“It is the [TTFA’s] understanding that this new condition attends to substantive matters of law which have properly been and are yet to be determined by this Honourable Court in the instant matter and in light of [Fifa’s] conduct ought not be delayed any further.”

The High Court, according to Madame Justice Gobin, already intends to rule on whether Fifa could lawfully implement a normalisation committee in Trinidad and Tobago without violating its own statutes and the TTFA (Incorporation) Act; and whether there were indeed exceptional circumstances to justify the removal of TTFA president William Wallace—or if the decision was taken for ‘improper reasons’ or ‘bad faith’.

Is the TTFA now inviting the High Court to also look at its international suspension and the new requirements for regaining full membership rights?

Madame Justice Gobin cannot compel Fifa to change its statutes, or assure the Soca Warriors of safe haven within its umbrella. However, it is unlikely to be for nothing that Infantino was keen to preempt a ruling by the Port of Spain High Court.

(Infantino, incidentally, is the target of a criminal investigation by Switzerland courts at present and recently met with France president Emmanuel Macron to discuss opening a Fifa branch in that country.)

Wallace promised to call an extraordinary general meeting after Friday’s hearing, which would give TTFA member delegates the opportunity to weigh in on the body’s next step.

By now, it is beyond dispute that the majority of stakeholders want Wallace to stand down and allow the local body to re-enter Fifa’s fold. Wallace and United TTFA member Keith Look Loy said they are prepared to listen.

However, Wired868 understands that, despite Fifa’s threats, Wallace’s opponents may still be unable to get the required 75 per cent support from delegates to remove him as president.

Yesterday, TTFA general secretary Ramesh Ramdhan suggested that Wallace might retain control of the local body, irrespective of a Fifa ban, and get controversial English salesman Peter Miller to raise the money necessary to run the local game

Wallace told Wired868 that he does not share Ramdhan’s view.

“This is not an option,” said Wallace.

Fifa’s position is that the TTFA’s suspension ‘will only be lifted when the TTFA fully complies with its obligations as a member of Fifa, including recognising the legitimacy of the appointed normalisation committee and bringing its own statutes into line with the Fifa Statutes’.

Might Wallace’s quest for justice and legal determination lead to a ruling that complicates or hinders the TTFA’s ability to bow to Fifa upon demand? And would that be a good thing or a bad thing?

Despite Infantino and Samoura’s belittling comments towards the Trinidad and Tobago High Court, Madame Justice Gobin’s ruling on Friday is likely to be required reading across the globe by keen observers of Fifa politics.

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

Offline maxg

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #116 on: October 11, 2020, 08:55:29 AM »
They coulda  grown up to be National players and champions, but now...with these dam football people.. Make ppl desert them just so, and leave them in a state. No Heart these Football people, we need get football going to help them.

https://www.facebook.com/hardcorennewsroom/videos/367151617814205

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #117 on: October 12, 2020, 12:56:07 AM »
Gayle: FIFA illogically inconsistent.
By Walter Alibey (Guardian).


There seem to be more unanswered questions from FIFA's ruling on September 24, a situation that could potentially call on the sport's world governing body for clarity.

FIFA's suspension of the T&T Football Association (TTFA) came with a condition that it must first drop the court matter, and align its Statutes with that of the FIFA to regain FIFA membership. However, Matthew Gayle, one of the four TTFA lawyers believes that FIFA has been illogically inconsistent with its request and needed to be clear with what it wants since the TTFA was formed by an act of Parliament and it could be frankly audacious for them (FIFA) to ask the T&T Parliament to amend it.

Speaking to Guardian Media Sports on Sunday he said, "It makes no sense," Gayle explained, just two days before Justice Carol Gobin rules on the legitimacy of the FIFA to appoint a Normalisation Committee to replace a duly elected football administration on March 17, to manage football in T&T.

Gayle assured the TTFA constitution is perfectly in line with that of FIFA since FIFA approved it. "The only thing that is inconsistent with FIFA Statutes is the Act of Parliament and I don't think that FIFA will be so audacious to ask the Parliament to amend its act."

The aims and objects of the Association are: (a) to regulate and control the conduct of Football in T&T (under the Federation Internationale de Football Association system) and to provide playing fields and conveniences in connection therewith;

Accordingly, Article 2 (e) objectives of the TTFA constitution states: (e) to respect and prevent any infringement of the statutes, regulations, directives, and decisions of FIFA, CONCACAF, CFU, and TTFA as well as the Laws of the Game, and to ensure that these are also respected by its Members; Act item 4 states: The affairs of the Association shall be managed by a General Council whose election powers and procedures shall be as prescribed in the Constitution and Rules of the Association.

Article 7 Conduct of Bodies and Officials of the TTFA Constitution states: The bodies and Officials of TTFA must observe the statutes, regulations, directives, decisions, and the Code of Ethics of FIFA, CONCACAF, CFU and TTFA in their activities.

Last week Justice Gobin reserved her ruling in the court the for Tuesday and could well call upon FIFA's local lawyers for clarification of what is meant by asking the TTFA to bring its Statutes in line with theirs (FIFA).

Gayle said he was also confused by FIFA's claim that while the normalisation committee will cease to exist during the suspension, FIFA will only communicate with the normalisation committee concerning all T&T-football-related matters.

William Wallace, the TTFA president has said his group will drop the court battle with the FIFA if the court rules against them.

However, he maintained that if the court rules in their favour, they will convene an Emergency General Meeting to decide on the way forward for everything, inclusive of their if they will continue or drop the matters in the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) in Switzerland as well as the appeal matter in the local court which comes up for hearing on October 21.

ABOUT THE TTFA VS FIFA CASE (SIDE BAR)

Through the lawsuit, Wallace and his three vice presidents — Clynt Taylor, Joseph Sam Phillips, and Susan Joseph-Warrick (resigned on September 25) are seeking a declaration that the decision to remove them in March and replace them with a committee comprising of businessman Robert Hadad, attorney Judy Daniel, and retired banker Nigel Romano was null, void, and of no legal or binding effect.

They are also seeking a permanent injunction barring FIFA from meddling in the TTFA's affairs by allegedly seeking to circumvent the democratic process by removing duly elected executive members.

Gobin has also been asked to decide whether FIFA's statutes, under which the replacement was done, conform with the local legislation, which established the association.

Wallace and his team initially brought proceedings against FIFA in the Court for Arbitration for Sport (CAS) but were forced to withdraw as they could not pay the 40,000 Swiss francs (TT$276,000) in associated costs.

Their position was partly due to FIFA's policy to not pay its share of the fees and CAS's rules, which require the other party to pay the full costs when the other fails in its obligations.

After the case was filed, FIFA applied for it to be struck out as it claimed that the TTFA by virtue of its membership with FIFA agreed to forgo all legal action in local courts in favour of proceedings before the CAS following a vote on September 22 in which 21 members voted for the TTFA to drop the matter, 8 votes to fight FIFA and 3 members abstained.

However, the TTFA failed to meet FIFA's deadline of 3:00 pm (T&T Time) on Wednesday 23 September after filing their withdrawal application at 3:23 pm and on September 24 (T&T Republic Day) FIFA suspended the TTFA form all FIFA's activities, programmes and events until further notice.

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #118 on: October 12, 2020, 02:46:38 PM »
Look Loy's United TTFA prefers 'colonial' control from England
By Mike Berry (Guardian).


Dear Editor

Since the pre-election lies, alleged forged letters and spurious pledges from United TTFA (T&T Football Association) as reported in the media local and foreign, I have watched with horror, dismay and concern how they have in fact disunited the T&T football fraternity by their naivety, lack of business acumen and minimal transparency.

My first experience of their lack of professionalism and style was when they abruptly sacked T&T national coach Dennis Lawrence, a few weeks after their November 24, 2019 election win which although their rightful prerogative could have been handled with a bit more empathy for Lawrence, a national hero.

They hauled him before a kangaroo court of numerous individuals in Couva and bombarded him with an assault of unfair criticism and personal attacks before sacking him a few weeks later in a two minute Whatsapp call from the so-called president during the festive season.

When I informed him that the TTFA was now liable for paying him his salary/bonus arrears and the full balance of his contract within 30 days as per his contract his immediate response was that he would settle it soon and had plans organised to do so.

This of course never transpired. In spite of numerous promises and Dennis was forced to take his claim to FIFA which is not a cheap or swift process.

The lack of style, concern, honesty and professionalism shown by William Wallace and his cohorts was an insult to a national hero and compatriot who had worked tirelessly, professionally and always with integrity and dignity in spite of all the fiscal and logistical pressures he too had to endure during his three-year tenure.

To subsequently watch the soap opera of United TTFA evolve with fantasy schemes, dodgy deals, secretive contracts, downright lies and "Walter Mitty" delusional plans to reduce the massive debt burden, just confirmed to me their total unsuitability for the job.

In particular, the punitive Avec kit deal, the nonsensical Arima project and the reliance on the promises and persuasion of a proven hustler just showed how gullible and naive this gang of wishful thinking so-called “United” Board were.

It’s a pity the Normalisation Committee was not appointed the day after the election!

When Wallace eventually admitted due to Startling exposures and revelations in the media that he had kept many of his dealings secret from his board and had not told the truth about many of his actions his puppet master Keith Look Loy disowned him and threatened to have him removed via an EGM (Emergency General Meeting) as he was horrified and deplored this scandalous conduct.

Look Loy reasoned that his "pardnah" had lost the moral high ground and shown an unacceptable level of non-transparency which they had all pledged to eradicate in their pre-election diatribe. His attack on Wallace was public, damaging and reduced his credibility significantly in the eyes of the football fraternity and general public to even continue in the role of president.

Strangely, Look Loy then sidetracked the EGM on advice from lawyers and weeks later once again stood “United” shoulder-to-shoulder with “President” Wallace pontificating about making a principled and moral stand against the crooked "Colonial Masters" in Zurich, Switzerland and their lack of integrity and transparency. The hypocrisy is breathtaking from this bag of wind.

The damage that United TTFA has caused to T&T’s reputation regionally and globally in their short tenure has now culminated in a suspension that has been coming inevitably given the regular provocative and confrontational attacks on the governing body at every opportunity particularly by the Keyboard warrior from Arima who’s angry, and venomous rantings have created a hostile atmosphere at every stage and personify his character.

The anger, confrontation and hostility even made its way into the withdrawal affidavit which was the final straw for FIFA and so ironic after Look Loy on Republic day stated he would not celebrate until the "Colonial Masters" from Zurich had left the country so he must have had quite a night on the "babash" as he got his wish on the same memorable day that FIFA said au revoir!

However, I am still a little confused how he reconciles his bitter hatred of Colonial control with his support and appointment of Lawrence's replacement Terry Fenwick, Peter Miller, Phil Mepham, Christopher Wykes, Laura Hogan and not to mention his friends from Avec and Lavender who when I last looked all come from England.

Regards,
Mike Berry
England

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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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #119 on: October 13, 2020, 12:43:13 AM »
Kelvin Jack: ‘United TTFA has no moral authority to risk the immediate future of T&T football’
By Kelvin Jack (Wired868).


I have chosen to publicly break my silence about the current impasse between United TTFA and FIFA. In my opinion, the atmosphere around our football reeks of toxicity.

When Fifa appointed the normalisation committee, my first reaction was one of genuine surprise. I made that known to the president William Wallace and to [United TTFA member and technical committee chairman] Keith Look Loy.

I was empathetic towards the situation they were put in. I was particularly irked because I felt they only just assumed office but were then being forced out.

Remember, I was appointed Men’s National Senior Team goalkeeping coach and assistant coach and TTFA Head of Goalkeeping by the ‘United TTFA’. I felt a sense of loyalty towards the president because they worked hard to be in the position to lead Trinidad and Tobago football.

I believe I am qualified to publicly speak about this, as I represented Trinidad and Tobago from the U-14 level all the way to World Cup qualification in 2006. I have paid my dues more than most, when you consider I was only 30 and at my peak; but was never selected again after playing against Paraguay at the 2006 World Cup.

This still rankles with me but age and the passage of time has allowed me to forgive Jack Warner and co for their malicious vindictiveness. Yes, myself and a couple of us were blacklisted for having the temerity to request our bonus contract be honoured.

Back to this impasse that has crippled football. In my opinion, the ongoing court action is nonsensical and has a debilitating effect on Trinidad and Tobago football. The court action should be discontinued immediately.

I have analysed the various arguments for the continued progression of this court action. From the supposed invasion of Trinidad and Tobago sovereignty, to no football is being played right now because of the global pandemic, to the view by some that Trinidad and Tobago wouldn’t qualify for the 2022 World Cup anyway.

These reasons are weak and incredibly disrespectful to the players, fans, potential sponsors, coaches and referees.

I have never in my life seen such a toxic atmosphere emasculating Trinidad and Tobago football. The negativity and confusion is lamentable, unnecessary and not in the interest of our young players.

The government and honourable sports minister have already made themselves clear. There shall be no funding for the TTFA if this court case continues. Sponsors will almost certainly shun us. Fifa will obviously starve us of funding.

So the question is: how will United TTFA fund football if they are ruled by the court as the legitimate leadership? We truly need to know; all 1.4 million of us.

Maybe there is a plan? How will development programmes be funded? How will salaries be paid? How will the players gain valuable international experience?

How will our  women’s team close the gap on our international rivals? How will our aspiring international referees develop?

Committed die hard fans will be starved of watching their beloved national teams play in tournaments.

The one argument I take particular exception to is the argument by some that Trinidad and Tobago will not qualify for the 2022 World Cup anyway, so a ban is not too bad. That opinion is shortsighted and myopic.

I played at the 2006 World Cup because I learned valuable lessons being involved during the qualification matches for the 2002 World Cup. Learning from the older players, observing how they prepared, learning how they dealt with high pressure situations. That experience was vital.

World Cup qualification failure in 2002 was the catalyst for success in 2006.

The uncertainty plaguing football at the moment is unacceptable. We are in the middle of a global pandemic and I’m aware there are restrictions in place to combat Covid-19. However, I am certain the government of Trinidad and Tobago would have been reasonable in allowing us to utilise the vital Fifa international friendly dates this month and next month for important preparatory games.

This could’ve been done overseas. The manager and myself have been looking at various opponents to play against. Now that is not even an option for us, as we are suspended.

There are 211 countries that adhere to Fifa statutes; we are one. If we are truly honest we must realise we cannot on one hand utilise all the provisions of Fifa—for example, receive funding and playing in international tournaments—but then frown when one of the very statutes which we agreed to, the implementation of a normalisation committee, is used by Fifa.

If we detest the role of a normalisation committee in the Fifa statutes so vociferously, why did we join Fifa in the first place? Shouldn’t we have objected to the statutes all those years ago, or at the very least inform Fifa that we do not agree with the role of a normalisation committee—as we believe our sovereignty as an independent country supersedes their statutes?

Why haven’t we openly criticised  the supposed injustices of other normalisation committees which were implemented on other football federations worldwide?

I am completely dumbfounded by the notion that suspension now is not a big thing. The United TTFA has no moral authority to risk the immediate future of Trinidad and Tobago football. I look at our U-15 National team and it borders on criminal that these kids could potentially be barred from experiencing international competition.

I need to reiterate that of course I had empathy for the manner the United TTFA were replaced. Out of respect, I informed Keith Look Loy I will be making a statement. I am certain Keith and William will have a lot to say about my statement.

However, it’s imperative they realise that I truly love Trinidad and Tobago football with the most passion imaginable. But this has now gone too far and the damage done is immense and potentially irreparable. It will take many more years  to get football back on track and at a half-decent level.

The Honourable Justice Gobin shall be making a ruling [soon]. It is my hope that the healing process is allowed to begin immediately with the discontinuation of this court case. The toxicity and disorganisation must end.

The number one priority now must be the development of Trinidad and Tobago football. All egos must be set aside. Tranquility and organisation needs to take over now.

The longer we remain suspended, the longer it will take us to become competitive on the field of play.

The stakes are far too high to continue this action. It must stop.

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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