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Offline Flex

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #120 on: October 13, 2020, 12:43:35 AM »
Fifa ‘disrespect’, inconsistent use of CAS and a role for Rowley: TTFA and Fifa trade blows.
By Lasana Liburd (Wired868).


Madame Justice Carol Gobin vowed to rule on the impasse between the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association and Fifa by 3pm on Tuesday 13 October, in what is arguably the biggest matter of sport law in this country’s history.

But that did not mean there was not plenty to report on, as attorneys for both parties traded metaphorical blows at this morning’s virtual High Court hearing.

The TTFA was represented legally by Dr Emir Crowne, Matthew Gayle, Jason Jones and Crystal Paul, while Fifa’s interests were sought by Christopher Hamel-Smith SC, Jonathan Walker and Cherie Gopie.

The main issues for determination, according to Madame Justice Gobin, are:

1. Whether the purported appointment of a normalisation committee by [Fifa] on the 17 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.

However, Fifa contended that Gobin acted unfairly in refusing to postpone today’s hearing until its appeal could be concluded, against her decision to proceed with the case in the High Court. The Court of Appeal is to hear Fifa’s submission on 19 October.

Fifa’s legal team did not file a defence for today’s hearing and, although they sat in, declined the chance to participate.

“I am unable to proceed with anything that involves the substantial issues of the merit of the case,” said Hamel-Smith.

But that did not mean Fifa’s local attorneys failed to contribute to the legal drama. In fact, Hamel-Smith was first to the floor, as he gave a lengthy plea as to why Gobin should overrule herself, for a second time, and postpone today’s hearing—even after it had already begun.

“It seems to be a recurring theme that My Lady makes decisions,” said Crowne, “and my colleague is unhappy with them and re:raises objections in different words… Our primary point is, this has already been decided.”

Whether out of professional courtesy or personal curiosity, Gobin allowed Hamel-Smith leeway to press his case, which she stress tested.

Hamel-Smith said the reason the matter was before the High Court in the first place is due to contention about which party is ‘running the TTFA’.

He suggested that Fifa’s letter to its normalisation committee chairman Robert Hadad on Wednesday 7 October, which stated that ‘the normalisation committee […] ceased all operational and management functions over the TTFA’, meant the matter of who had control of the local football body was no longer in question.

“Is the [TTFA president William Wallace] back in charge?” asked Gobin.

“The TTFA is no longer part of the Fifa system,” said Hamel-Smith. “[…] So yes, there is nothing stopping them from [exercising that daily management and control over the administration of the affairs of the TTFA].”

The High Court Judge was unconvinced and pointed to another excerpt from Fifa’s missive on Wednesday:

‘[…] 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 (sic) with Mr Robert Hadad.’

“It seems to me that even after the suspension, Fifa is still issuing orders to the normalisation committee,” said Gobin. “So I don’t think one can really say as far as Fifa is concerned that is the end of that, let [the TTFA] run it as it likes.”

Hamel-Smith attempted to stand his ground.

“Well, in terms of domestic activities […], the normalisation committee has stood down,” he said.

Crowne described the so-called closure of Fifa’s normalisation committee as ‘self-induced frustration’ meant to ‘directly or indirectly interfere with these proceedings through its own acts’.

“If this is a proper grounds [for a deferral] then any defendant can write a letter to itself and introduce material changes [to a case],” said Crowne.

Gobin leaned forward in her chair.

“The defendant has brought about a change in circumstances which you are asking me to use as a case for the deferral for the trial?” she asked Hamel-Smith.

“Yes,” replied the counsel for Fifa.

“Well, let’s move on,” said Gobin. “I don’t think that can justify the deferral.”

But Hamel-Smith did not yield. He appeared convinced in the validity of his request. After all, as stressed, he sought only ‘a short adjournment of just over 10 days’.

Gobin suggested that Fifa had an alternative to haranguing her.

“Is there any reason why you did not go to the Court of Appeal and ask for an expedited hearing?” she asked.

“There was no reason to go to the Court of Appeal [for an expedited hearing],” said Hamel-Smith. “[…] It never occurred to me that it was a possibility that this [request for a deferral] would be rejected…”

Nothing if not tenacious, the senior counsel persisted that there was now diminished urgency for the ‘fast tracking’ of today’s High Court hearing.

“In my respectful submission, the claimants have achieved a large part of what they were seeking to achieve,” said Hamel-Smith. “They have got the normalisation committee to down their tools…”

“Are you serious Mr Hamel-Smith?” retorted Gobin. “The TTFA has gotten them to do that? The issue of who is in charge has been settled? It is clear that [the matter of who is the rightful leader of the TTFA] is an ongoing matter for anyone but Fifa!”

And, on that note, Madame Justice Gobin brought up Fifa’s recent behaviour and referenced ‘two proclamations by Fifa that it has no intention to recognise this Court’. Such pronouncements, she suggested, were inconsistent with Hamel-Smith’s pleadings.

“How can you on the one hand object to the authority of the Court and then ask for indulgences from the same Court?” she asked. “[…] Doesn’t that make a mockery of what we are doing here, Mr Hamel-Smith? Has Fifa changed its position?

“[…] Can you say this morning if Fifa is prepared to abide by any declaration that the Court is going to make?”

Hamel-Smith spluttered.

“I have no answer,” he said.

“There should not even be a question of that—that should be a rhetorical question,” Gobin replied, as she lamented the perceived disrespect shown by the Switzerland-based body. “[…] As far as I am concerned, the trial will proceed.”

As Hamel-Smith and his team opted not to contribute to the substantive hearing, Crowne and Gayle had control of the floor. Their case against Fifa was largely two-pronged.

First, they argued that the relevant Fifa Statute which permitted use of a normalisation committee was so badly written, it did not qualify as a law at all.

Fifa Statute article 8.2: ‘Executive bodies of member associations may under exceptional circumstances be removed from office by the Council in consultation with the relevant confederation and replaced by a normalisation committee for a specific period of time.’

Crowne narrowed in on the phrase: ‘exceptional circumstances’.

“We submit that that provision in the Fifa Statutes lacks any legal certainty to qualify as a law,” he said. “Our first position is the way it is drafted—and in the absence of any guidance from the Fifa Statutes whatsoever—we don’t expressly know what those exceptional circumstances are.”

He quoted from a recent ruling by Justice Seepersad in a sedition hearing involving the late Sat Maharaj:

‘Every citizen in a sovereign democratic society should not be subject to punishment unless that law is sufficiently clear and certain…

‘Where laws are vague, their interpretation is then delegated to functionaries […] and in such circumstance it is undesirable as the interpretation can be cut by subjective and arbitrary considerations.’

He cited too a ruling by the late Lord Kenneth Diplock in which he stated: ‘Absence of clarity is destructive of the rule of law; it is unfair for those who wish to preserve the rule of law. It encourages those who wish to undermine it.’

Crowne suggested that Fifa president Gianni Infantino, who heads the Bureau of the Fifa Council that ejected the TTFA’s elected officials on 17 March and then suspended the local body on 24 September, was using ‘an extremely vague provision’ as ‘an absolute hammer’ to abuse the TTFA.

Second, even if article 8.2 of the Fifa Statutes was accepted at face value, Crowne said the implementation of it lacked ‘procedural fairness’.

“There is no evidence other than Fifa’s indelicate press release to the world—not TTFA; the world received it before Wallace and his elected executives received it—that there are ‘extremely low overall financial management methods, combined with a massive debt, [which] have resulted in the TTFA facing a very real risk of insolvency and illiquidity’,” said Crowne. “And to date, no further details have been provided; none to this court or anybody… One would have hoped that, at a minimum, Fifa would have made those circumstances known for the public’s benefit and the TTFA’s benefit.

“[…] And even if there were evidence of these extremely broad and sweeping statements that Fifa put out in the press release; at a minimum, procedural fairness would have required Fifa to give the outgoing executive the chance to respond to it.

“[…] But that of course is assuming that Fifa intended to be fair all along; but as has been shown, Fifa and fairness probably don’t go hand in hand.”

Crowne noted that section three of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (Incorporation) Act 1982 states: ‘The aims and objectives of the Federation are: (a) to regulate and control the conduct of Football in Trinidad and Tobago (under the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (Fifa))…’

He suggested that the Trinidad and Tobago Parliament choose not to go so far as to expressly say the TTFA was subservient to Fifa decree. Further, as a statutory body formed by an Act of Parliament for the benefit of the people of Trinidad and Tobago, he said the TTFA cannot simply relinquish that responsibility to a foreign entity.

“It cannot be that a private company in Zurich can override an Act of Parliament,” said Crowne.

It is likely to be a crucial point in the near future, since Fifa insist the TTFA will only be allowed re-entry to its fold if it approves an unspecified amendment to its constitution.

Hamel-Smith did not—or could not—illuminate the hearing as to the constitutional amendment that Fifa is seeking.

Gobin noted that the TTFA Constitution practically mirrors Fifa’s Statutes already, while, as Crowne reiterated, Fifa approved the local football body’s current constitution in 2015.

“We genuinely don’t know what more the TTFA can do to bring its documents in line with what Fifa wants,” said Crowne.

“It would seem to me that [the requested amendment] is a matter for Parliament, if it so chooses,” said Gobin. “This is out of the TTFA’s hands.”

Will Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley be required to instruct his Parliament to give Fifa unfettered control over the TTFA and football within the twin island republic? And should he?

(The TTFA was formed in 1908 and only joined Fifa in 1944—some 36 years later.)

Madame Justice Gobin asked whether the TTFA’s decision to contest its recent suspension at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) was not inconsistent with its acrimonious exit from that venue for the ongoing legal manner.

The TTFA’s legal team previously accused CAS of bias towards Fifa. However, today, Gayle and Crowne offered different explanations for their return to the sport arbitration body in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Crowne noted that the cost for contesting the implementation of a normalisation committee before CAS was 40,000 Swiss francs (TT$298,000), while it is a mere 1,000 Swiss francs (TT$7,443) to dispute the TTFA’s suspension.

Crowne referred to a ruling of the Canadian Supreme Court which stated that: ‘when arbitration is realistically unattainable [financially], it amounts to no dispute resolution at all’.

“Forty thousand Swiss francs to access justice is unconscionable […] for most member associations and certainly the TTFA,” said Crowne.

Gayle claimed that there was an important difference in the TTFA’s two legal challenges against Fifa.

“[Fifa] sees itself as the overarching body of which the [TTFA] is a subsidiary member,” said Gayle. “In fact My Lady, [Fifa] is an organisation made up of several organisations around the world. Obviously, self-evidently, that organisation must have its rules in relation to the members of the organisation; but that is quite separate and apart from the rules and laws that govern individual associations…”

In short, Gayle suggested that the TTFA’s international suspension relates to its membership rights within Fifa; and, as such, CAS is a suitable form since it is the agreed venue for resolving disputes between two private parties under Fifa’s umbrella.

However, he said the management of the TTFA’s daily affairs is set out in Section 4 of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (Incorporation) Act, and is therefore a matter for the local High Court.

Next Tuesday, Madame Justice Gobin will rule on Fifa’s exertion of its perceived rights within the twin island republic via its normalisation committee.

Infantino, via secretary general Fatma Samoura, has already said that, irrespective of the pending judgment, Fifa intends to have the final word on Trinidad and Tobago’s future within the global organisation.

One way or the other, an Act of Parliament under the government of then Prime Minister George Chambers on 16 August 1982 serves as a potential stumbling block to Fifa’s interest.

Will Rowley’s Parliament get involved?

WATCH: Discussing the TTFA/FIFA drama with Wired868 Editor Lasana Liburd

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 #121 on: October 13, 2020, 12:44:53 AM »
United TTFA expects positive ruling from judge Gobin.
By Walter Alibey (Guardian).


It will be a day of reckoning for T&T when it comes to football.

Justice Carol Gobin will on Tuesday deliver a ruling on whether the T&T Football Association (TTFA), which is being led by president William Wallace and his group of vice presidents Joseph Sam Phillip and Clynt Taylor, will be the legitimate managers of football in T&T. However, it is unlikely to ease the pain of a FIFA suspension as well as a return to the fold of the FIFA membership for the TTFA.

With FIFA pulling out of the court battle, speculations are ripe for Gobin to rule in favour of the TTFA. If this happens, Wallace said he will put into the hands of the general football membership, the future of the sport via an Emergency General Meeting (EGM).

The membership has twice before made it clear they desire to drop the court battles and avoid a suspension, which is now unachievable.

FIFA handed the TTFA a suspension on Republic Day (September 24) for violation of the FIFA Statutes, with a condition that the bring its Statutes in line with theirs (FIFA) to rejoin the FIFA membership. This request though has been easier said than done, as lawyers, football experts and the football fraternity confused with the request.

TTFA Attorney Matthew Gayle said he is unsure of what the FIFA is asking for since the TTFA constitution and statutes were approved by the FIFA back in 2015. Osmond Downer, renown TTFA constitutional expert said, not only doesn't he know what the FIFA is asking for, but described the TTFA constitution as the best in the Caribbean.

Like Gayle, he said the TTFA statutes were approved in 2014 and it is very similar to that of the United States and Australia. Downer, a former FIFA referee made it clear that no member association can bring their statutes in line with the FIFA's own fully, but rather the FIFA Standard Statutes, which form the backbone of an Association, regulating its activities and how it is organised.

Associations were asked to ensure its statutes fully comply with the provisions of the FIFA Statutes, and for this reason, the FIFA compiled the standard statutes in 2001 and launched a wide-ranging policy of modernisation of the statutes of its members to improve the governance of football in each country, as well as to strengthen the principles contained in the FIFA Statutes.

Following the suspension, Wallace and his team ordered their attorney to resume the court battle it had with the FIFA, and also sought to file a challenge against the suspension in the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Under the orders of Wallace, the TTFA attorneys also filed an Injunctive Relief in the CAS, which would allow the country to participate at the CONCACAF Gold Cup. But even if these matters are dropped it is uncertain if T&T will be a member of the FIFA again with the request for its statutes to mirror that of the sport's world governing body.

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Offline Trini _2026

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #122 on: October 13, 2020, 06:24:04 PM »
what  was the ruling ?
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Offline Tallman

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Judge rules on TT football impasse: Red card for FIFA
« Reply #123 on: October 13, 2020, 08:43:21 PM »
Judge rules on TT football impasse: Red card for FIFA
By Jada Loutoo (T&T Newsday)


IT's a foul for FIFA.

The world governing body for football received a red card from High Court judge Carol Gobin on Tuesday.

In a late-night decision, Gobin ruled that the removal of the TT Football Association’s (TTFA) duly-elected executive was illegal, null, and void and of no effect.

She also declared that the appointment of a normalisation committee to “interfere in the affairs of the TTFA” was also null, void, and of no effect and that the FIFA statute which allowed the appointment was inconsistent with the provisions of the TTFA Act of 1982.

In her decision, which was e-mailed to attorneys just before 9 pm, Gobin declared the decision of FIFA to appoint the normalisation committee was made in bad faith and “for an improper and illegal motive.”

In March, FIFA removed the William Wallace executive (which includes vice-presidents Clynt Taylor and Joseph Sam Phillip) because of the TTFA’s increasing debt, which was $50 million.

The TTFA began legal action against FIFA, but then withdrew the matter at 3.02 pm (TT time) on September 23, two minutes after FIFA’s final deadline. FIFA has insisted that the TTFA’s dispute should be heard before the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS).

FIFA suspended T&T from international competitions (both club and country) on September 24 for grave violations of the FIFA statutes, and the TTFA, in return, decided to reignite its legal challenge against the global governing body.

Wallace was elected TTFA president on November 24, 2019.

In her ruling, Gobin said the TTFA’s coming to the court for redress “was perhaps the only appropriate response which avoided capitulating to the demands of FIFA and thereby elevating the status of FIFA statutes above the laws passed by our Parliament.”

She also said the repercussions of FIFA’s suspension were “worrying,” as she listed what they were.

“One can therefore sympathise with the views of the many persons who believe that such far-reaching consequences should be avoided, perhaps at all costs.

“The wisdom of the challenge by the claimants of the actions of FIFA is not for the court. But it has to be said that the law expects the TTFA to do what its statutory duty requires even in the face of unlawful pressure.”

She said she was not insensitive to the anguish that the saga had wreaked on T&T.

“Our government, all sports administrators, clubs, players, aspiring footballers, young people, fans, I daresay the entire population is rightly concerned about the future of the sport.

“The request for the EGM identified the following grave and devastating consequences that the members who requested the meeting feared the fraternity would suffer if TTFA did not withdraw the action.”

However, Gobin did not accede to a request by the TTFA to find that FIFA’s interventions were orchestrated by its agents to undermine the matter before the court.

She also said of a plea by Sports Minister Shamfa Cudjoe, “I am not prepared to ascribe improper motives to the honourable minister for her intervention to “find a way forward” nor indeed to the delegates who requested the EGM. These were concerned parties who would not have been cognisant of the negative legal implications of their actions, which I do believe were well-intended.

“The same cannot be said for Mr Hadad. On the evidence, I am however left in no doubt that Mr Hadad, as FIFA’s appointee, was actively encouraging the campaign of pressure on the claimant, and this gentleman’s conduct is harder to ignore.

“I find that he, in his role as chairman of the normalisation committee, deliberately engaged in conduct that was calculated to subvert the adjudication of the claimant’s claim. His actions prompted the claimant to seek injunctive relief. FIFA did not resist the application.”

Gobin also noted that FIFA’s threats throughout were widely publicised and it encouraged, from many quarters, pressure and clamour for Wallace and his team to comply with the demands of the international body.

She also said there was a sustained unrelenting campaign against the TTFA, “the overt aim of which was to force, as a litigant before the courts of this country, to withdraw its case. Its threats were pointed. It is well settled that conduct which is calculated to impair access to the court is punishable as a contempt of court.”

She said the TTFA rules, which FIFA was aware of, already mirrored FIFA statutes and by its appointment of the committee to have it amend its rules to “bring it in line with FIFA statutes” were threats which the TTFA could not deliver.

The only amendment that can produce the result that FIFA command is an amendment to the TTFA Act, and if it insists on blocking access to our courts in favour of the CAS, then it should be put on notice there might be constitutional hurdles.

She again gave FIFA a dress down for its apparent derision of the local court’s jurisdiction.

“Throughout these proceedings, FIFA has persistently paraded its disdain for the authority of our local courts. In doing so it has demonstrated a disregard for the rule of law.

“The defendant’s conduct regrettably calls into question the sincerity of its vaunted commitment to achieving its objectives to promote integrity, fair play, and friendly relations in society for humanitarian objectives as well as its commitment to respecting internationally recognised human rights and striving to protect them. Disregard for the rule of law is inconsistent with these objectives.“

She also added, “If it is the case as FIFA continues to insist that it will not accept the jurisdiction of the court of any member country, and that CAS is the only dispute resolution forum that it will recognise then, given what the evidence has disclosed and which it has not denied, that FIFA generally does not comply with a basic rule regarding the payment its share of the costs of arbitration, even when its non-compliance can have the effect of denying parties access to the arbitration process, (as it did in this case) then there is every danger that FIFA will become a law unto itself if it hasn’t already become one,’ she said.

FIFA was ordered to pay the TTFA’s costs.

Wallace, in a Newsday report on Friday, vowed to stick to his word and immediately convene an annual general meeting with the TTFA membership to chart a way forward if Gobin’s decision goes in favour of the TTFA.

Dr Emir Crowne, Matthew Gayle, Jason Jones and Crystal Paul were the legal team for the TTFA, led by ousted president William Wallace. The FIFA’s lawyers were Christopher Hamel-Smith, Jonathan Walker, and Cherie Gopie.

RELATED NEWS

Judge Gobin rules in United TTFA favour vs FIFA
By Derek Achong (Guardian).


Embattled T&T Football Association (TTFA) president William Wallace and his United TTFA executive team have won their controversial lawsuit against FIFA.

Delivering her judgement in the case, late last night, High Court Judge Carol Gobin ruled that FIFA’s move to appoint a Normalisation Committee led by businessman Robert Hadad to replace Wallace and his team was illegal, null and void and of no effect.

Gobin said: “The Court declares that the decision of the Defendant dated 17/3/20 to appoint a normalisation committee was made in bad faith and for an improper and illegal motive.”

She also ruled that FIFA’s Statutes which speak to the appointment of such committees did not conform with the local legislation which incorporated the TTFA and prescribes how it is governed.

Yesterday’s legal victory for Wallace and his team is only the first leg in their battle against FIFA.

Next Monday, the Court of Appeal is expected to hear an appeal from FIFA over Gobin’s jurisdiction to hear the case.

In the event, FIFA is successful in its appeal and Wallace and his team does not successfully challenge that decision in the Privy Council, Gobin’s decision would be rendered academic.

If Wallace and his team eventually emerge victorious, it would mean that FIFA’s indefinite suspension of the association, due to its pursuit of the case, would remain in place.

In her judgement, Gobin considered FIFA’s Statutes on the committee which state that it is to be appointed to member federations in “extraordinary circumstances”.

“The rule essentially gives FIFA a free hand. The absence of a definition does not however limit my ability to consider the circumstances of it and to determine the lawfulness of FIFA’s actions,” she said.

“I have considered the evidence and have come to the conclusion that the decision to invoke the normalisation was unwarranted and indefensible,” she added.

She said that FIFA attempted to usurp the power of the local legislation by directing the committee to arrange fresh elections.

In terms of FIFA’s insistence that all legal disputes between it and federations should be dealt with by the Court for Arbitration for Sport (CAS), Gobin noted that she already ruled that while courts usually defer to such arbitration clauses, they can make exceptions.

She also took the opportunity to criticise FIFA for its apparent disdain for the local courts through its actions in repeatedly refusing to recognise their jurisdiction for cases within the country.

“The defendant’s conduct regrettably calls into question the sincerity of its vaulted commitment to achieving its objectives to promote integrity, fair play, and friendly relations in society for humanitarian objectives as well as its commitment to respecting internationally recognised human rights and striving to protect them. Disregard for the rule of law is inconsistent with these objectives,” she said.

While Gobin said she recognised the effect of the case on the sport in this country, she suggested that it could be considered warranted in the circumstances.

“The TTFA’s actions in seeking redress before the Court was perhaps the only appropriate response which avoided capitulating to the demands of FIFA and thereby elevating the status of FIFA Statues above the laws passed by our Parliament,” Gobin said.

Gobin also considered the roles of TTFA members, Sports Minister Shamfa Cudjoe and Hadad in setting up a meeting of the TTFA to discuss the case.

While she ruled that Cudjoe and the stakeholders had good intentions, she said that Hadad did not and was seeking to further FIFA’s action.

She also noted that FIFA demand for local laws to be changed to conform with its in order to lift the suspension was unreasonable as only Parliament could do so.

FIFA was ordered to pay the executive’s legal costs for bringing the lawsuit.

Wallace and his colleagues were represented by Dr Emir Crowne, Matthew Gayle, Crystal Paul, and Jason Jones, while Christopher Hamel-Smith, Jonathan Walker and Cherie Gopie appeared for FIFA, which did not participate in the trial.

« Last Edit: October 14, 2020, 12:10:45 AM by Flex »
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Offline socalion

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #124 on: October 13, 2020, 09:35:21 PM »
Properly worded decision by judge gobin !  Fifa clearly demonstrated from the very unset  arrogance , disrespect and bad faith in its handling of this entire situation ! Full stop

Offline Trini _2026

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Rowley on TTFA victory
« Reply #125 on: October 14, 2020, 06:26:51 AM »
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Offline pull stones

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Re: Rowley on TTFA victory
« Reply #126 on: October 14, 2020, 07:17:47 AM »
Mr PM, I’ve supported you from the time you took office until today, and as much as I like you as a man of deep thought and vision, today I have to respectfully disagree with you, not only disagree, but I’ll have have to say that you should stick to politics and leave football to those who really follow football for the past 20 years.

today you have spoken out of time and did not get the point of the ttfa’s complaint, it was never about winning a war, but rather to set a precedent and to show other nations around the globe that football don’t belong to fifa to do as they please, and they could be challenged, and it was high time someone stood up for TT football after 40 years of abusive leadership which was facilitated by FIFA, be it bastard eric, thieving vengeful jack or conniving fat david, we had enough, we don’t want no more of the same ole, in other words we want real change, and if that means no football until further notice, then so be it!

as prime minister of this country, aren’t you tired of seeing our boys being embarrassed all over the world just because our administrators really could care less about football? for the past three years football was non existent in TT where no money was spend on the sport, aren’t you ashamed to pump all that money into cricket and showed a keen interest while football sailed down the drain mr PM?

please man, stop talking out of turn and get an advisor to bring you up to date on the matters that you are less versed on, you’ll only anger true supporters who actually know what the real deal is. maybe you should call shaka Hislop or ato bolden, even your boy brian, they might be able to fill you in on the real situation. but in the mean time sir, stop jumping the gun, it’s not a good look for a world leader.
« Last Edit: October 14, 2020, 07:23:07 AM by pull stones »

Offline socalion

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Re: Rowley on TTFA victory
« Reply #127 on: October 14, 2020, 07:30:57 AM »
What irony dr Keith rowley , are you making a mockery of the decision handed down by  the honourable high judge gobin ? Or is it one of your silly talking points . Provided you have nothing better to say  or  to add please spare us your Greek quotes . ! So Dr keith rowley please it is my hope you will at least be mindful of what is needed more now than ever are words of inspiration , Enough of the ugly divisiveness .

Offline pull stones

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #128 on: October 14, 2020, 07:35:11 AM »
I’m willing to make a wager that as of next week the whole United ttfa board would have resigned, if not sooner. I think from here on in football in TT would be in the hands of self serving puppets like brent and selby, and that’s if we’re lucky.

all we could hope for now is that some unlikely hero like shaka Hislop might be inclined to step in and give football administrating a try, but it’s abundantly clear that fifa has always had a keen interest in keeping CFU members in its place, and that’s under some tyrant hungry belly lap dog who’s even scared to bark for his or her supper, and unfortunately so, the Caribbean is in no short supply of those prototypes.

Offline pull stones

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Re: Rowley on TTFA victory
« Reply #129 on: October 14, 2020, 07:43:42 AM »
What irony dr Keith rowley , are you making a mockery of the decision handed down by  the honourable high judge gobin ? Or is it one of your silly talking points . Provided you have nothing better to say  or  to add please spare us your Greek quotes . ! So Dr keith rowley please it is my hope you will at least be mindful of what is needed more now than ever are words of inspiration , Enough of the ugly divisiveness .
correct is right. it’s time politicians got involved in sports and spend some money on development, like why don’t we even have a national academy for football in every region?

why didn’t the good doctor spoke up when fat david had football by the balls? the fact that everybody and their dog knows about this dispute with fifa and the ttfa is clear evidence that WW and company did more for football in TT their whole 11 months in office than all the federation presidents combined.

Thanks to them standing up there are people around the world who are now willing to take another look at mr infantino’s tenure and has been versed on his unwillingness to be benevolent. who knows how far and wide this might impact, for all we know, this stance might have far reaching consequences, maybe it might snow ball into bringing down the mighty fifa for a second time.
« Last Edit: October 14, 2020, 07:51:09 AM by pull stones »

Offline maxg

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Re: Rowley on TTFA victory
« Reply #130 on: October 14, 2020, 07:54:00 AM »
Now we have time to build something solid, learn from our mistakes, making our football about fun, sport and development, instead about money and power and embarassment. Little successes tend to have went to our heads and turned us down a wrong path.
 Agree with Mr Stones. If you want to help because YOUR people may be affected, then Mr Rowley contribute something positive like assigning a management consultant team to assist the local organization with ideas of funding and adminstration. If you cannot contribute to helping YOUR people as PM as far as this LOCAL initiative is concerned, stfu. and see about something else that you can more positively contribute too.
Fifa advantaging your elected adminstrations for football had no comparasion to Slavery, Greeks and Romans wars, had nothing to do with Europe & Germany wars, nothing to do with America & Britian wars, nor Guatamala and Honduras war, and any other unassociated reference than unfairness to YOUR people. Act accordingly or at least diplomatically.


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https://mikecardus.com/16-steps-to-developing-the-individuals-on-the-team/

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #131 on: October 14, 2020, 07:56:05 AM »
Nah stones ah cyar wager now , in any case,  doh even mention Brent sancho nor Selby brown names for leadership position in any administration , dem guys are major sell outs I will not want dem on any frontline as comrades to fight , they'll abandone you in a whisper , leaving you  in harms way to battle on your own ! All in all stones whatever decision mr Wallace and crew makes I can only wish them the very best , I supported their stance against an unreasonable bully Fifa .  As you mention it will be interesting if Shaka hislop comes the in mix to lend a hand .

Offline Trini _2026

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #132 on: October 14, 2020, 09:35:40 AM »
So will wallace call a meeting with members ....
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/sh8SeGmzai4" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/sh8SeGmzai4</a>

Offline soccerman

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Re: Rowley on TTFA victory
« Reply #133 on: October 14, 2020, 10:36:40 AM »
Well said pull stones, socalion and maxg :beermug:

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Re: Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #134 on: October 14, 2020, 11:08:18 AM »
Rowley jeers at United TTFA's victory in court
By Stephon Nicholas (T&T Newsday)


Tuesday evening's victory for United TTFA against FIFA in the High Court seemed to have left the Prime Minister restless as he pondered the future of Trinidad and Tobago's football.

Justice Carol Gobin ruled on Tuesday night that FIFA's removal of William Wallace's TTFA executive and implementation of a normalisation committee, after just four months in office, was illegal.

In a Facebook post around 1am on Wednesday, Dr Rowley said the goal scored by the reinstated TTFA president against the Gianni Infantino-led FIFA was no cause to celebrate.

In fact, Rowley strongly suggested it might have been an own goal that condemns TT's football to defeat. The TTFA remains banned by FIFA for taking the matter to the local court.

Gobin's ruling had Rowley remembering lessons from his schooldays and weighing the collateral damage of the victory, which he described as pyrrhic.

"Another such victory and we shall be utterly ruined,” he posted, quoting Pyrrhus, King of Epirus, 2,000 years ago.

He added, "Thank God I was taught some Greek history and Latin at Bishop('s) High School. Otherwise I would have never been able to understand that adventure. I think we all now need to study the 2000-year events of the Pyrrhic wars to figure out how it all might end."Pyrrhos was indeed king of the Molossians and also of Epirus. However, Rome still stands so what does the future hold? Success that comes at such a high price and at other people’s expense sometimes results in the price of the 'victory' proving too costly to have been worth it. In that case, what happens when the powerful King wins the battle but the thousands of subjects lose."

Jeering from the stands, Rowley argued there was no winner coming out of Tuesday's judgment, especially for TT's footballers.

"So now United TTFA has 'won' and FIFA has lost. The matter is settled in local court. We are now free of the 'colonial' FIFA. We, boys and girls, men and women, are free to play by ourselves and against ourselves because nobody will be allowed to play with or against us."Oh. That’s it! I finally understand it. That means we can never lose and will always win because we will only be playing by ourselves. Brilliant!"
The Conquering Lion of Judah shall break every chain.

Offline socalion

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Re: Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #135 on: October 14, 2020, 11:34:47 AM »
Disheartening to say the least that an entrusted leader of the populace instead of displaying respect and humility at a time when much dependent on each of us to be exemplary in our conduct has chosen to think it's cute or some kind of ridiculous humour to seemingly taunt yesterday's by the honourable judge on ttfa's behalf  .. Let me remind those who may tend to forget that this is the same court or judge that may someday be called upon to adjudicate cases involving said persons . Be aware   

Offline lefty

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Re: Rowley on TTFA victory
« Reply #136 on: October 14, 2020, 12:56:17 PM »
I think the PM is wrong on this, but feel UTTFA burn ah bridge when dey very publicly dumped on d HOF, a project that d govt again was very public tied to.

I think, they, rightly or wrongly felt very "shat on" and now are acting more out of embarrassment and anger than actual good sense. I am starting to think that like some had suggested d HOF issues might have been best handled out of e public eye

Hindsight is ah bitch, but maybe not having d gov't now presenting itself as an adversary in this battle would been sensible.......to an extent

Pursuing the Arima project with HOF still tied up was stupid or thoughtless at best
« Last Edit: October 14, 2020, 01:18:24 PM by lefty »
I pity the fool....

Offline Tallman

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Re: Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #137 on: October 14, 2020, 04:52:02 PM »
WATCH: United TTFA talks about the court ruling against FIFA.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/UTpmuFLdYiA" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/UTpmuFLdYiA</a>
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Re: Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #138 on: October 14, 2020, 08:55:13 PM »
WATCH: SportsMax Zone and United TTFA lawyer Dr. Emir Crowne discuss the result of the court battle between TTFA and FIFA.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/am07z0QxWpU" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/am07z0QxWpU</a>
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Offline Controversial

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Re: Rowley on TTFA victory
« Reply #139 on: October 14, 2020, 10:31:43 PM »


Well versed in Greek history but not in African history...

This is what happens when they elect a house negro to the highest office that sells out the people...

Remember I told all the hard headed people on here that the pnm are sell outs and the current govt supports fifa..

Pull stones you wake up yet or you still sleeping?


Offline Controversial

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Re: Rowley on TTFA victory
« Reply #140 on: October 14, 2020, 10:39:51 PM »
Amanirenus the one eyed Queen of Kush who opposed Rome and won...

Would be a better story to be told Mr.Rowley ... But I doubt African history is in your heart tbh..




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Re: Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #141 on: October 14, 2020, 11:37:20 PM »
WATCH: United TTFA talks about the court ruling against FIFA.

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

Couldn't be more proud of Clint Taylor, William Wallace and Keith Look-Loy.

By Fazeer's and Rowley's reasoning and that of many, Mandela was a waste of time, MLK a waste of time, Ghandi a waste of time. What they were up against was too powerful, too much money, had all the guns Bla, Bla, Bla. They should just have accepted colonialism, apartheid, and slavery.

Thank God for people like Gobin and United TTFA who, although imperfect, are willing to promote the dignity of justice.

By-the-way it's not merely principle. It's Freedom to be all that God intended for us to be. Imagine going along with another man being your master . . .waaaaay sah.
« Last Edit: October 14, 2020, 11:40:40 PM by Cocorite »
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Offline Flex

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #142 on: October 15, 2020, 12:50:26 AM »
PM bemused at TTFA's hollow victory over FIFA.
T&T Guardian Reports.


Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has reacted to the High Court decision in favour of embattled T&T Football Association (TTFA) president William Wallace and his United TTFA executive team in their controversial lawsuit against wold governing body FIFA.

Delivering her judgement in the case late Tuesday night, High Court Judge Carol Gobin ruled that FIFA's move to appoint a Normalisation Committee led by businessman Robert Hadad to replace Wallace and his team was illegal, null and void and of no effect.

Gobin said: "The Court declares that the decision of the defendant dated 17/3/20 to appoint a Normalisation Committee was made in bad faith and for an improper and illegal motive."

In response, the Prime Minister seemed more than displeased as he wrote on his Facebook page: "Another such victory and we shall be utterly ruined,” Pyrrhus, King of Epirus, 2,000 years ago.

Thank God I was taught some Greek History and Latin at Bishop High School. Otherwise, I would have never been able to understand that adventure. I think we all now need to study the 2000-year events of the Pyrrhic wars to figure out how it all might end.

Pyrrhos was indeed the king of the Molossians and also of Epirus. However, Rome still stands so what does the future hold?

Success that comes at such a high price and at other people’s expense sometimes results in the price of the “victory” proving too costly to have been worth it. In that case what happens when the powerful King wins the battle but the thousands of subjects lose.

So now United TTFA has “won” and FIFA has lost. The matter is settled in local court. We are now free of the “colonial” FIFA.

We, boys and girls, men and women, are free to play by ourselves and against ourselves because nobody will be allowed to play with or against us.

Oh. That’s it! I finally understand it. That means we can never lose and will always win because we will only be playing by ourselves.

Brilliant!"

On Monday, the Court of Appeal is expected to hear an appeal from FIFA over judge Gobin's jurisdiction to hear the case.

In the event FIFA is successful in its appeal and Wallace's team does not successfully challenge that decision in the Privy Council, Gobin's decision would be rendered academic.

RELATED NEWS

Rowley jeers at United TTFA's victory in court.
By Stephon Nicholas (Newsday).


Tuesday evening's victory for United TTFA against FIFA in the High Court seemed to have left the Prime Minister restless as he pondered the future of Trinidad and Tobago's football.

Justice Carol Gobin ruled on Tuesday night that FIFA's removal of William Wallace's TTFA executive and implementation of a normalisation committee, after just four months in office, was illegal.

In a Facebook post around 1am on Wednesday, Dr Rowley said the goal scored by the reinstated TTFA president against the Gianni Infantino-led FIFA was no cause to celebrate.

In fact, Rowley strongly suggested it might have been an own goal that condemns TT's football to defeat. The TTFA remains banned by FIFA for taking the matter to the local court.

Gobin's ruling had Rowley remembering lessons from his schooldays and weighing the collateral damage of the victory, which he described as pyrrhic.

"Another such victory and we shall be utterly ruined,” he posted, quoting Pyrrhus, King of Epirus, 2,000 years ago.

He added, "Thank God I was taught some Greek history and Latin at Bishop('s) High School. Otherwise I would have never been able to understand that adventure. I think we all now need to study the 2000-year events of the Pyrrhic wars to figure out how it all might end."Pyrrhos was indeed king of the Molossians and also of Epirus. However, Rome still stands so what does the future hold? Success that comes at such a high price and at other people’s expense sometimes results in the price of the 'victory' proving too costly to have been worth it. In that case, what happens when the powerful King wins the battle but the thousands of subjects lose."

Jeering from the stands, Rowley argued there was no winner coming out of Tuesday's judgment, especially for TT's footballers.

"So now United TTFA has 'won' and FIFA has lost. The matter is settled in local court. We are now free of the 'colonial' FIFA. We, boys and girls, men and women, are free to play by ourselves and against ourselves because nobody will be allowed to play with or against us."Oh. That’s it! I finally understand it. That means we can never lose and will always win because we will only be playing by ourselves. Brilliant!"

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 #143 on: October 15, 2020, 12:53:14 AM »
Look Loy: TTFA to hold EGM 'immediately'
By Jonathan Ramnanansingh (Newsday).


TT Super League president Keith Look Loy expects the extraordinary general meeting (EGM) of the TT Football Association (TTFA) to be held on October 24 or 25.

The hosting of this critical EGM comes as a result of Tuesday’s decision by Justice Carol Gobin that FIFA's removal in March of the TTFA’s duly-elected executive and its installation of a normalisation committee to run its affairs illegal, null, and void and of no effect.

The promised EGM, according to reinstated TTFA president William Wallace, will be held to chart a way forward for TT football.

On Gobin's ruling, Look Loy commented, “The court’s judgment is a validation of the position that we took from day one. Justice Gobin’s decision is an entire validation of what we have said over the past seven months.”

Before Gobin’s judgment, Wallace vowed to “immediately convene an EGM” once the court ruled in favour of the TTFA.

Having won the legal battle against FIFA, Look Loy predicts the EGM will be held within the next ten days.

He said the TTFA membership should make a decision at the EGM on its recent appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to challenge FIFA’s suspension of the TTFA.

The 13 TTFA board members must meet and agree unanimously, or by a majority, on a date for the EGM.

The board members are the three officers (Wallace, Taylor and Phillp), one representative each from the five associations and one each from the TT Pro League, TT Super League, Women’s League Football, Secondary Schools Football League and the Referees Association.

Look Loy explained, “What we are seeking to do today (Wednesday) is to get the board to call that meeting. We want to call the EGM in under the minimum time, which is within ten days, according to the TTFA constitution.

“We’re looking at October 24 or 25. Then the membership will have its say and make the decision on how we are to proceed into the immediate future. Only the board can confirm when this will be held.”

Look Loy is a member of Wallace’s United TTFA slate, which removed David John-Williams as local head at the November 2019 elections.

RELATED NEWS

FIFA battle not over for Wallace and Co.
By Jonathan Ramnanansingh (Newsday).


ATTORNEYS representing the reinstated TT Football Association (TTFA) executive have now shifted focus to Monday’s hearing at the Court of Appeal.

Since FIFA’s removal of the William Wallace-led administration, in March, and installation of a normalisation committee to run TT’s daily football affairs, the ousted executive opted to legally challenge this decision.

Wallace and his vice-presidents Clynt Taylor, Joseph Sam Phillip and Susan Joseph-Warrick (now resigned) made an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland, saying the decision was a breach of the TTFA’s constitution.

The team later indicated it did not believe CAS would give a “fair hearing” as they encountered runarounds during the process. Instead, on May 18, they appealed to have the matter heard at the local High Court.

In June, FIFA filed an injunction in the TT High Court to stop it from hearing any matter relating the ongoing dispute. It insisted that CAS was the only acceptable forum.

On August 13, Justice Gobin denied FIFA’s request to have the dispute remitted back to the CAS and ruled that the local officials were not bound by an arbitration clause with the CAS and could take the world governing body to court in TT.

One week later, FIFA appealed Justice Gobin’s decision to have the matter dealt with locally.

Monday’s hearing at the Court of Appeal, however, ironically comes after Tuesday’s ruling by Justice Gobin who declared FIFA’s removal of TTFA’s duly-elected executive and its installation of a normalisation committee “null and void”.

Declaring Tuesday’s decision a win for the Wallace administration, TTFA’s legal team of Dr Emir Crowne, Matthew Gayle, Jason Jones and Crystal Paul have now shifted focus to Monday’s hearing.

“The Court of Appeal is on Monday and from a legal perspective that’s where our eyes are set. That Court of Appeal decision is to really challenge whether Justice Gobin or the TT High Court has the jurisdiction in the way to even make a decision that was delivered on Tuesday.

“This is regarding FIFA’s appeal to overrule the hearing of the case in TT. We’re mainly focused on that going ahead,” said Jones on Wednesday.

Additionally, after previously questioning the impartiality of the CAS, the TTFA has returned to the Swiss court to fight FIFA’s August 24 decision to indefinitely suspend TT.

According to Jones, their written submissions on this matter are also due on Monday.

“The whole question of us being suspended and the decision to suspend TT is not concluded. We have some submissions due on Monday also to submit to CAS. That’s not a hearing, it’s more of making written submissions and then FIFA will have to make theirs. That is also in the pipeline and we have a deadline in terms of the documentation or the written advocacy at CAS. We have the oral advocacy at the Court of Appeal and the written advocacy for CAS,” he added.

Jones adjudged TTFA’s victory in the local court, on Tuesday, as “resembling a David and Goliath battle” and Justice Gobin’s decision as a “well-considered judgment”.

He particularly drew reference to paragraph 56 of Justice Gobin’s ruling which stated, “In the circumstances, the TTFA’s actions of seeking redress before the Court was perhaps the only appropriate response which avoided capitulating to the demands of FIFA and thereby elevating the status of FIFA statutes above the laws passed by our Parliament.”

“When you look at judgement in various parts, you see the evidence in terms of credibility. It’s really the form and fashion of FIFA’s appointment of the normalization committee was really at the centre of the judgment. What was even more fundamental was that paragraph 56.

“It really takes the whole thing home and I think that particular paragraph speaks to the legal, moral and ethical paradigm of the entire dispute between the parties. This culminates the case because it vindicates the duly-appointed executives, their legitimacy and their cry for recognition of that legitimacy, not just in law, but in terms of the governance of the TTFA,” stated Jones. Newsday also reached out to FIFA lawyer Christopher Hamel-Smith for a comment on Justice Gobin’s ruling. He, however, indicated that, “I don’t really talk to the media about court cases. You’d have to get in touch with FIFA’s media department. I cannot comment on that.”

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: Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #144 on: October 15, 2020, 01:55:35 AM »
WATCH: SportsMax Zone and United TTFA lawyer Dr. Emir Crowne discuss the result of the court battle between TTFA and FIFA.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/am07z0QxWpU" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/am07z0QxWpU</a>
my goodness this emile crown guy is such a prick. it's unbelievable how easily he became unravelled like a spoiled child who hates being challenged. how fragile an ego he has. as a trini i'm extremely appalled  by his conduct.
« Last Edit: October 15, 2020, 01:58:13 AM by pull stones »

Offline asylumseeker

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Re: Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #145 on: October 15, 2020, 03:37:37 AM »
Regarding the timing of the Prime Minister's comment, Crowne is absolutely correct.
« Last Edit: October 15, 2020, 03:43:28 AM by asylumseeker »

Offline Rastaman

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #146 on: October 15, 2020, 08:21:05 AM »
WATCH: SportsMax Zone and United TTFA lawyer Dr. Emir Crowne discuss the result of the court battle between TTFA and FIFA.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/am07z0QxWpU" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/am07z0QxWpU</a>
my goodness this emile crown guy is such a prick. it's unbelievable how easily he became unravelled like a spoiled child who hates being challenged. how fragile an ego he has. as a trini i'm extremely appalled  by his conduct.
Disagree....I would have walked away....That guy is a kakahole
And that Trini Girl on the show is a disgrace to TnT....only pushing their agenda. They believe the TTFA is wrong and it shows in everything they say and do.

Offline maxg

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #147 on: October 15, 2020, 11:16:56 AM »
WATCH: SportsMax Zone and United TTFA lawyer Dr. Emir Crowne discuss the result of the court battle between TTFA and FIFA.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/am07z0QxWpU" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/am07z0QxWpU</a>
my goodness this emile crown guy is such a prick. it's unbelievable how easily he became unravelled like a spoiled child who hates being challenged. how fragile an ego he has. as a trini i'm extremely appalled  by his conduct.
Disagree....I would have walked away....That guy is a kakahole
And that Trini Girl on the show is a disgrace to TnT....only pushing their agenda. They believe the TTFA is wrong and it shows in everything they say and do.
So because ah asshole in Britian make ah asshole comment is ok for we PM make ah asshole comment, and everybody tryin to defend all dey asshole comments , and going off on all kinda xxxxxlery points ...didn't want to repeat mehself  :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:


add: these ppl real have we heads in ah mess, we can't even think straight of for ourselves...we have to operate by their laws, their statutes, their rules...their lives

oh yes: Dr Crowne didn't handle them well. Had no right discussing nothing but the case, niether Rowley's comments nor his own. He wasn't prepared for these antagonistic clowns. There are professionals and there is environment.
« Last Edit: October 15, 2020, 11:30:39 AM by maxg »

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #148 on: October 15, 2020, 12:55:52 PM »
Cudjoe slams 'selfish' United TTFA for FIFA suspension
By Joel Bailey (T&T Newsday)


SHAMFA Cudjoe, Minister of Sport and Community Development, has described FIFA’s suspension of the TTFA (T&T Football Association) as “a sad day for football and sport” in T&T.

On Thursday, the Bureau of the FIFA Council suspended the TTFA with immediate effect due to grave violations of the FIFA Statutes.

In a statement on its website, FIFA said, “the suspension was prompted by the former leadership of the TTFA lodging a claim before (the T&T High Court) in order to contest the decision of the FIFA Council to appoint a normalisation committee for the TTFA.”

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

On Thursday evening, Cudjoe said, “I am not surprised because FIFA would have already stated its position quite early. I was trying to avoid this situation. I remembered calling a meeting in August with all the football (bodies). I think FIFA has been fair and reasonable in its dealings by giving them a deadline (of September 16) and then going the extra mile of giving them an extension (of September 23).”

Turning her focus towards the United TTFA team of Wallace, his deputies Clynt Taylor, Susan Joseph-Warrick, Joseph Sam Phillip, as well as TTFA members Keith Look Loy and Anthony Harford, Cudjoe said, “If they were serious about relieving T&T from this kind of stress, they would have acted on time and in a proper manner.

“FIFA had no choice but to do what they have done,” she continued. “It’s a sad day for football and a sad day for sport development in this nation. The handful of people that’s causing us this trouble, they would not suffer as much as athletes and the young people who depend on football and sports for their advancement.

“I’m also disappointed that adults who have been charged with this management of football would have the country in this position, would hold football to ransom, would hijack the development of football in this way. They did not go to their clubs (or TTFA membership) before taking on this court matter. They went on their own selfish and unreasonable journey and today we’re in this position because of them.”

Recently, Wallace hinted that, even with FIFA sanctions, domestic and schools football will still be continued in T&T, once covid19 restrictions are lifted.

But Cudjoe countered, “What does that really mean for the young person who’s looking to advance in football, who have dreams about playing in the World Cup, who was looking forward to the CONCACAF Nations League? What community football and schools football means to those young athletes who are really being affected by this?”

The Minister said, “It goes beyond that because we were benefitting from FIFA Forward Development Programme and the various courses to help various disciplines like beach football (and) women’s football. That technical assistance is gone when you’re (suspended).

“While community football and schools football is good, that’s only a drop in the bucket when you think about the full potential of the beautiful game, of our ability to participate at regional and international levels. That brings no comfort, especially knowing that this could have been avoided and that these (individuals) had so much time to turn things around. But they did what they did for their own ego, for their own time of fame. It does not make any sense. The majority of their clubs know that it didn’t make any sense.”

Cudjoe urged other local sporting bodies to “learn from this, that when you elect people to leadership of your organisations, elect proper, right-thinking people with a conscience, with a heart to truly develop the game.”

The Minister is hopeful that there will be light at the end of the tunnel for T&T football.

“I think the tone of the (FIFA) letter allows some wiggle-room, that if (the TTFA) make the necessary changes, at it relates to properly recognising the normalisation committee, and even amending the local constitution to reflect that CAS is the final court of arbitration,” she said. “I think that would allow FIFA to reconsider lifting the suspension. I’m hoping that these clubs have their voices heard and hold their so-called leaders to account.”

No, Minister. 

There is something entirely dissonant with the tenor of your comments and discordant with the discretion and mandate with which your portfolio vests you.

Good on Joel Bailey for getting your comments on the record, but the comments place you as performing well within your competence, when this matter - particularly in its denouement - would have demanded more than the commentating perspective of a front row seat.

Perhaps the deficiency is that Mr. Bailey didn't exhaust his questions or ask all of the pertinent questions. But, even if he didn't ask, it seems that the moment should have compelled you to make a more comprehensive statement regarding the government's activism on this matter.

While there may be an element of incomplete journalism here - perhaps reflective of the expected scrutiny of the readership - there's also been a building narrative (no pun intended) of whether you have used your time sufficiently wisely despite your awareness of the advertised conclusion.

Your words: 'I am not surprised because FIFA would have already stated its position quite early'.

There are still questions to be answered before we should get to you reducing an element of your public comments to a personalised bashing of executive action.

Not wishing to be guilty of the same, my comments include curiosity as to Cabinet's view of the matter and extend to what, if anything, exercised the Prime Minister regarding all of the consequences which you liberally note.


It's evident that United TTFA trampled your last nerve,  but did you run the fullness of the last mile?
I am not sure that I am getting what your point really is  ???  and I would rather not simply assume. Is it that you regard the Minister's comments as inappropriate and that government should have a role in this ongoing imbroglio? Notwithstanding, in my humble view the minister was straightforward in calling a spade a spade.





You don't need to be MoS to speak candidly. Any citizen is equipped to do that. What distinguishes the MoS from ordinary citizens is her latitude to engage her anticipation of the consequences by leveraging her good office beyond occasionally beating her head against a wall and railing against the personality of United TTFA. Any political office holder worth their salt understands that she has the capacity to weigh-in on the matter through back channel outreach. I don't have any reason to doubt the competence of the MoS, but as I've pointed out repeatedly,  the Government of Trinidad and Tobago is not a disinterested party in this outcome and therefore should act as if not a disinterested or passively connected party. Coming to the public stage and saying 'I tried to talk sense to them' is not a summation of the available parameters.

I appreciate that the MoS is constrained to a degree by the PM's view of the totality of circumstances, but there has to be more here than has been offered.

And no,  I don't regard her comments as entirely appropriate.

And,  yes, Govt's activism with Zurich can/could have occur/occurred without having/being violative of FIFA's posture regarding governmental intervention.

So, on the table is what has the MoS/PM done with respect to operating on the margins of the litigation and outreach to Zurich? Even a solitary phone call?

Participate in managing the outcome.

Under a charitable analysis, one could argue that the PM sought to render public comment in a manner that would categorise the opinion as his personal view.

Based on reaction to his FB post, it is unlikely that there is significant buy-in to the notion that Dr. Rowley's arguably personal/private view has not coalesced with, or acquiesced in/informed, official action/inaction.

Those who agree with what he asserted won't care much about how/when his comments were asserted - although they should.

None of that is to assert that the PM is not entitled to hold a personal opinion as a citizen. It is that the dispensing of that opinion should be managed ... beyond its content.

Place, time, manner.

I would add ... especially since the Gov't has been largely meaningfully silent even considering the various "offerings" of the Minister of Sport.
« Last Edit: October 15, 2020, 02:23:48 PM by asylumseeker »

Offline Thomo

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Re: FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association
« Reply #149 on: October 15, 2020, 01:20:56 PM »
Expulsion is on the horizon sadly

 

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