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Offline Trini _2026

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Trinidad and Tobago could lose World Cup qualifying points over fielding a player agent
By Paul Nicholson


http://www.insideworldfootball.com/2021/04/16/trinidad-tobago-lose-world-cup-qualifying-points-fielding-player-agent/


April 16 – The embattled Trinidad and Tobago FA, currently ruled by a FIFA Normalisation Committee, could face the embarrassment of losing points from its recent World Cup qualifiers for playing an ineligible player.

Trinidad and Tobago are drawn in a group with St Kitts and Nevis, Guyana, Puerto Rico and Bermuda, a group they would ordinarily be expected to romp through without too much difficulty.

Having opened with a win against Guyana, the Trinidadians followed up with a draw against Puerto Rico, and in doing so brought on registered player agent Andre Boucard.

Boucard, who last featured for Trinidad and Tobago in March 2017, but, aged 36, had not played for at least seven months before his call-up by coach Terry Fenwick.

Trinidad and Tobago registered Boucard as playing for Maidstone Utd in England’s sixth tier, though a search of records shows no indication of his registration.

However, he was registered as a player intermediary with the English FA.

English FA rules expressly prohibit an agent playing competitively in the elite professional and semi-professional tiers of the game.

Rule 1.2 of Appendix II in the English FA rules states; “An Official (as defined by the FIFA Statues or any successor hereto) or a Player cannot be an Intermediary. An Intermediary becoming an Official or a Player shall have his Registration suspended for as long as he remains an Official or a Player.”

Boucard has subsequently pulled from the list of English FA player agents and his license temporarily suspended.

The English FA say their rules mirror those of FIFA and while the conflicts that would arise with a player also being an agent are obvious, FIFA’s own rules don’t specifically mention players cannot be agents, though the wording implies that is the case.

However, FIFA’s rules are very clear over sanctions that would be applied if an ineligible player took part in an official match. In this case the sanction would be to forfeit the game.

FIFA’s rules on eligibility read:

“1. If a player takes part in an official match despite being ineligible, his team will be sanctioned by forfeiting the match (cf. art. 31) and paying a minimum fine of CHF 6,000.

If a player takes part in a friendly match despite being ineligible, his team will be sanctioned by forfeiting the match and paying a minimum fine of CHF 4,000.”
FIFA responded to questions from Insideworldfootball saying: “As a general policy, FIFA’s judicial bodies do not speculate, nor do they comment on whether or not investigations are underway into alleged cases.”

FIFA did not respond as to whether its rules specifically preclude player agents from playing in elite matches. If they don’t then the English FA will likely have to revisit their own rules and reinstate Boucard as an intermediary.

If Trinidad and Tobago are docked points, their World Cup qualification group is thrown wide open as they would lose the crucial one point advantage they have over Guyana. It could get worse for the TTFA – though it seems unlikely – if decided to also overturn the result against Guyana. While on the squad list, Boucard did not feature in that match.

Trinidad and Tobago’s World Cup campaign has been troubled from the start with coach Fenwick clashing before a media conference with the FA’s media officer and allegedly headbutting him. That incident, witnessed by media and players, was brushed under the carpet by the TTFA saying that no physical assault took place.

Fenwick, who in his first game as coach presided over a record 7-0 loss against a second string US team, has again landed the TTFA in embarrassingly deep water , this time over his selection of a player agent.

FIFA may save the day and the blushes of Fenwick and the TTFA’s Normalisation Committee on the basis that they might not have been aware of the rules. But they are pretty basic rules not to be aware of in a game where correct registration and eligibility criteria is the first priority of any national team selection.

Contact the writer of this story at moc.llabtoofdlrowedisni@noslohcin.luap

 

 

 

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Offline Deeks

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Re: Trinidad and Tobago could lose World Cup qualifying points
« Reply #1 on: April 16, 2021, 02:36:22 PM »
Well isn't that special. 2026. But really. Boucaud did not even play.

Offline Trini _2026

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Re: Trinidad and Tobago could lose World Cup qualifying points
« Reply #2 on: April 16, 2021, 02:42:04 PM »
Well isn't that special. 2026. But really. Boucaud did not even play.
He played in the second game Deeks
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Offline Tallman

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Re: Trinidad and Tobago could lose World Cup qualifying points
« Reply #3 on: April 16, 2021, 07:14:09 PM »
Sensationalist headline with nothing in the article to back it up.
The Conquering Lion of Judah shall break every chain.

Offline pull stones

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Re: Trinidad and Tobago could lose World Cup qualifying points
« Reply #4 on: April 17, 2021, 05:09:42 AM »
This person whoever they are, I’m speculating that it’s a trinidadian with an axe to grind, seems to have it in for fenwick. and not only that but they seem like they would also love to see us docked points or not make the octagon altogether. In all honesty these trinidadians are more poisonous than bush masters, they would rather see the country go down the drain if they don’t get their way. now tell me why would anyone want to bring that up?

Offline pull stones

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Re: Trinidad and Tobago could lose World Cup qualifying points
« Reply #5 on: April 17, 2021, 05:11:40 AM »
Sensationalist headline with nothing in the article to back it up.
so what you’re saying is that no action can be taken at this point? just asking, no pun intended.

Offline asylumseeker

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Re: Trinidad and Tobago could lose World Cup qualifying points
« Reply #6 on: April 17, 2021, 05:26:21 AM »
This person whoever they are, I’m speculating that it’s a trinidadian with an axe to grind, seems to have it in for fenwick. and not only that but they seem like they would also love to see us docked points or not make the octagon altogether. In all honesty these trinidadians are more poisonous than bush masters, they would rather see the country go down the drain if they don’t get their way. now tell me why would anyone want to bring that up?

To make his association's path to the next round easier.


Offline ffisback

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Re: Trinidad and Tobago could lose World Cup qualifying points
« Reply #7 on: April 18, 2021, 03:04:02 AM »
Trinidad and Tobago could lose World Cup qualifying points over fielding a player agent
By Paul Nicholson


http://www.insideworldfootball.com/2021/04/16/trinidad-tobago-lose-world-cup-qualifying-points-fielding-player-agent/


April 16 – The embattled Trinidad and Tobago FA, currently ruled by a FIFA Normalisation Committee, could face the embarrassment of losing points from its recent World Cup qualifiers for playing an ineligible player.

Trinidad and Tobago are drawn in a group with St Kitts and Nevis, Guyana, Puerto Rico and Bermuda, a group they would ordinarily be expected to romp through without too much difficulty.

Having opened with a win against Guyana, the Trinidadians followed up with a draw against Puerto Rico, and in doing so brought on registered player agent Andre Boucard.

Boucard, who last featured for Trinidad and Tobago in March 2017, but, aged 36, had not played for at least seven months before his call-up by coach Terry Fenwick.

Trinidad and Tobago registered Boucard as playing for Maidstone Utd in England’s sixth tier, though a search of records shows no indication of his registration.

However, he was registered as a player intermediary with the English FA.

English FA rules expressly prohibit an agent playing competitively in the elite professional and semi-professional tiers of the game.

Rule 1.2 of Appendix II in the English FA rules states; “An Official (as defined by the FIFA Statues or any successor hereto) or a Player cannot be an Intermediary. An Intermediary becoming an Official or a Player shall have his Registration suspended for as long as he remains an Official or a Player.”

Boucard has subsequently pulled from the list of English FA player agents and his license temporarily suspended.

The English FA say their rules mirror those of FIFA and while the conflicts that would arise with a player also being an agent are obvious, FIFA’s own rules don’t specifically mention players cannot be agents, though the wording implies that is the case.

However, FIFA’s rules are very clear over sanctions that would be applied if an ineligible player took part in an official match. In this case the sanction would be to forfeit the game.

FIFA’s rules on eligibility read:

“1. If a player takes part in an official match despite being ineligible, his team will be sanctioned by forfeiting the match (cf. art. 31) and paying a minimum fine of CHF 6,000.

If a player takes part in a friendly match despite being ineligible, his team will be sanctioned by forfeiting the match and paying a minimum fine of CHF 4,000.”
FIFA responded to questions from Insideworldfootball saying: “As a general policy, FIFA’s judicial bodies do not speculate, nor do they comment on whether or not investigations are underway into alleged cases.”

FIFA did not respond as to whether its rules specifically preclude player agents from playing in elite matches. If they don’t then the English FA will likely have to revisit their own rules and reinstate Boucard as an intermediary.

If Trinidad and Tobago are docked points, their World Cup qualification group is thrown wide open as they would lose the crucial one point advantage they have over Guyana. It could get worse for the TTFA – though it seems unlikely – if decided to also overturn the result against Guyana. While on the squad list, Boucard did not feature in that match.

Trinidad and Tobago’s World Cup campaign has been troubled from the start with coach Fenwick clashing before a media conference with the FA’s media officer and allegedly headbutting him. That incident, witnessed by media and players, was brushed under the carpet by the TTFA saying that no physical assault took place.

Fenwick, who in his first game as coach presided over a record 7-0 loss against a second string US team, has again landed the TTFA in embarrassingly deep water , this time over his selection of a player agent.

FIFA may save the day and the blushes of Fenwick and the TTFA’s Normalisation Committee on the basis that they might not have been aware of the rules. But they are pretty basic rules not to be aware of in a game where correct registration and eligibility criteria is the first priority of any national team selection.

Contact the writer of this story at moc.llabtoofdlrowedisni@noslohcin.luap

 

 

 

6
This clown needs to be given the boot as soon as possible and the sad thing is I don't think Haddad  has the balls to get rid of him.

Offline pull stones

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Re: Trinidad and Tobago could lose World Cup qualifying points
« Reply #8 on: April 18, 2021, 04:48:48 AM »
ffisback, how many times can someone repeat themselves? we heard you the first fifty times mate we got the news, how many times are you going to say the same thing? we understand that you don’t like the man but he’s going nowhere so just deal with it and piss off.

Offline palos

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Re: Trinidad and Tobago could lose World Cup qualifying points
« Reply #9 on: April 19, 2021, 01:11:50 AM »
This person whoever they are, I’m speculating that it’s a trinidadian with an axe to grind, seems to have it in for fenwick.

How you arrive at that conclusion?  How Fenwick come in this?

Is Fenwick the TTFA now?
Carlos "The Rolls Royce" Edwards

Offline pull stones

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Re: Trinidad and Tobago could lose World Cup qualifying points
« Reply #10 on: April 19, 2021, 03:57:02 AM »
This person whoever they are, I’m speculating that it’s a trinidadian with an axe to grind, seems to have it in for fenwick.

How you arrive at that conclusion?  How Fenwick come in this?

Is Fenwick the TTFA now?
forget that and let’s deal with the real issue, can we be ducked points like the article suggest, and not make this about whoever’s responsible?

Offline asylumseeker

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Re: Trinidad and Tobago could lose World Cup qualifying points
« Reply #11 on: April 19, 2021, 05:29:50 AM »
The underlying question to be asked is: was this consideration even on the General Secretary's radar from the moment Boucaud's name appeared on the projected squad?

Offline pull stones

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Re: Trinidad and Tobago could lose World Cup qualifying points
« Reply #12 on: April 19, 2021, 05:36:48 AM »
The underlying question to be asked is: was this consideration even on the General Secretary's radar from the moment Boucaud's name appeared on the projected squad?
the real question remains, can we be ducked points? damit. after that is established then we can move on to who’s responsible, but for now the pressing issue would be.....is this a valid cause for concern....and if not, then who cares.

Offline asylumseeker

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Re: Trinidad and Tobago could lose World Cup qualifying points
« Reply #13 on: April 19, 2021, 06:50:16 AM »
The underlying question to be asked is: was this consideration even on the General Secretary's radar from the moment Boucaud's name appeared on the projected squad?
the real question remains, can we be ducked points? damit. after that is established then we can move on to who’s responsible, but for now the pressing issue would be.....is this a valid cause for concern....and if not, then who cares.

Clearly it is a valid cause for concern because it goes to player eligibility (regardless of the suggested absence of explicit authority on the matter or the imminent final pronouncement on the matter).

Why? There are other prospective events that attach to player eligibility. As such, the ability to recognize a prospective issue/problem is important. Had the matter been flagged previously there likely would have been prior consultation up the chain with FIFA/CONCACAF for clarification, in the absence of knowledge. Wouldn't you sleep more easily at night knowing that diligence by inquiry occurs prospectively rather than reactively? Or having waited four years for this WC cycle to commence, it matters not that internal safeguards to override ignorance are spotty? Or do you honestly think that there was a thorough understanding of the implications from the onset?

Here's another interesting question: does the TTFA have Rules that speak to the same issue player-intermediary/"agent" issue? Or can an agent run out for a Pro League team in his spare time without anyone raising an eyebrow? Starting to see why a red flag should have emerged?

Finally, let's go here: We had a player effectively speak about two things: his mental transition to retiring and about traveling across continents when called for NT duty and then not being played? Suddenly he is in the squad and gets some concessionary minutes after an intercontinental trek? Did we really need to go there? Would we have gone there but for that "I haven't retired".
« Last Edit: April 19, 2021, 07:18:10 AM by asylumseeker »

Offline pull stones

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Re: Trinidad and Tobago could lose World Cup qualifying points
« Reply #14 on: April 19, 2021, 07:06:52 AM »
So in other words we in trouble and chances are we will get ducked points...most likely?

Offline Flex

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Re: Trinidad and Tobago could lose World Cup qualifying points
« Reply #15 on: April 20, 2021, 12:34:03 PM »
Guyana football president investigates Boucaud appearance, but no sign of breach.
theworldnews.net.


Guyana Football Federation (GFF) president Wayne Forde has vowed to do ‘due diligence’ on the eligibility of 36-year-old Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Andre Boucaud, due to the latter’s appearance as a late substitute during the Soca Warriors’ 1-1 World Cup qualifying draw with Puerto Rico on 28 March.

Boucaud, at the time, was a registered agent with the England FA, whose rules expressly forbid him from being an active player or official.

Rule 1.2 of Appendix II in the English FA rules states: ‘An official (as defined by the Fifa Statutes or any successor here to) or a player cannot be an intermediary. An intermediary becoming an official or a player shall have his registration suspended for as long as he remains an official or a player.’

The passage prompted Inside World Football, a website with a strong pro-David John-Williams lean in its coverage of the local sport, to suggest that Trinidad and Tobago could be forced to forfeit its point gained away to Puerto Rico.

Article 22.1 of the Fifa Disciplinary Code states: ‘If a player is fielded in a match despite being ineligible, the team to which the player belongs will be sanctioned by forfeiting the match and paying a minimum fine of CHF 6,000. The player may also be sanctioned.’

However, tellingly, neither the website nor the GFF could point to any rule which would make Boucaud ineligible.

Although the midfielder is no longer listed as an agent, Fifa has no obvious article which debars a player from international football, once he holds the appropriate passport and has not represented another association—or followed the proper procedure to switch allegiance.

Fifa states that ‘any person holding a permanent nationality that is not dependent on residence in a certain country is eligible to play for the representative teams of the association of that country’.

Boucaud, who has 48 senior international caps with two goals, qualifies to represent the twin island republic on that score—despite not playing competitive football since 14 March 2020, when he appeared as a late substitute for Maidstone FC in a 3-0 loss to Eastbourne Borough in England’s sixth tier.

Trinidad and Tobago’s domestic league has not restarted since the Covid-19 pandemic, which means that Boucaud is not the only inactive player in head coach Terry Fenwick’s squad.

Midfielders Michel Poon-Angeron and Jabari Mitchell, defender Justin Garcia, and forward Brent Sam featured for the Soca Warriors in one or both of their World Cup qualifiers so far, despite a similar dearth of competitive football.

Neither Boucaud, Fenwick nor the Robert Hadad-led normalisation committee has commented on the grumbles about the player so far, although Wired868 understands that the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) is confident that it faces no risk of sanction.

If there is anything wrong with Boucaud’s appearance, Ford assured Guyana’s NCN Sport News that he would find it.

“[I am] busy trying to ascertain the facts, based on the report and once those facts are confirmed then we will do our due diligence in checking the regulations,” said Forde, “to see whether the issued raised in that article are legitimate and represent sufficient grounds for a formal protest.

“Once we would have established those grounds then clearly we have an obligation and responsibility to submit a formal protest to Concacaf and Fifa.”

Trinidad and Tobago are second in Group F with four points from two games, after an opening 3-0 win over Guyana. At present, St Kitts and Nevis top the group with six points followed by T&T (four points) and Guyana (three points).

With two games remaining, only the winner will advance to the next round of Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifying.

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: Trinidad and Tobago could lose World Cup qualifying points
« Reply #16 on: April 21, 2021, 12:27:42 AM »
Very reminiscent of the bahraini FA who was looking for every avenue to get an unfair advantage when they scored that foul goal on kelvin jack. instead of grasping at straws and looking for crumbs on the floor to make a meal, why not go out and play your way through by winning the group mr Ford? I can’t stand a sore loser.
« Last Edit: April 21, 2021, 12:33:18 AM by pull stones »

Offline pull stones

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Re: Trinidad and Tobago could lose World Cup qualifying points
« Reply #17 on: April 21, 2021, 12:34:34 AM »
Like I said before, all we have to do is go out and win our two remaining games and we’re in. it’s that simple.

Offline Flex

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Re: Trinidad and Tobago could lose World Cup qualifying points
« Reply #18 on: April 25, 2021, 06:19:26 AM »
Fenwick says, Guyana FIFA protest has nothing to do with T&T.
By Jelani Beckles (T&T Newsday).


T&T men's senior football coach Terry Fenwick said the Guyana Football Federation's (GFF) claim that in a FIFA World Cup qualifier T&T fielded an ineligible player in Andre Boucaud has "nothing to do with us."

The GFF has sent an official protest to FIFA regarding the selection of T&T midfielder Boucaud for the qualifier between T&T and Guyana on March 25 in the Dominican Republic. Boucaud, 36, has almost 50 caps for T&T after making his debut in 2004.

The letter dated April 23 said, "The GFF believes Boucaud was ineligible for selection as a registered intermediary and, as such, any points secured by T&T during any related FIFA World Cup qualification matches should be forfeited."

Boucaud did not play in T&T's 3-0 win over Guyana but came on as a substitute against Puerto Rico three days later in a 1-1 draw. T&T, Guyana, Puerto Rico, Bahamas and St Kitts and Nevis are in Group F in FIFA Concacaf World Cup qualifying. T&T are two points behind leaders St Kitts and Nevis with four points.

"Boucaud, who was registered as an intermediary with the English Football Association at the time, was selected in T&T's match day squad," the letter said.

"Under FIFA rules, all conflicts of interest with intermediaries or agents must be avoided. Intermediaries cannot have any contractual relationship with a national football association. Under English Football Association rules, players cannot be registered intermediaries."

In a brief interview with Newsday, Fenwick said, "It's nothing to do with us. It is all English rules and regulations, nothing to do with T&T, Concacaf or FIFA."

According to the release the GFF did its research and also took legal advice. "Following an extensive investigation and careful consultation with its legal team, the GFF has sent its written evidence to FIFA and urged the global governing body of football to consider its case."

GFF president Wayne Forde said, "We have taken this matter very seriously and have presented our findings to FIFA that this individual was ineligible to play for T&T as a registered intermediary with the English FA. It is vital for the integrity and fairness of the game that the rules are respected and upheld by everyone. We look forward to FIFA's response in due course."

Newsday tried to call and WhatsApp Forde and FIFA-appointed normalisation committee chairman Robert Hadad but attempts proved futile. The normalisation committee was appointed by FIFA to run T&T football.

This story was originally published with the title "Guyana Football Federation protests over Boucaud's inclusion in FIFA World Cup qualifier" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

THE GUYANA Football Federation (GFF) has sent an official protest to FIFA regarding the selection of T&T midfielder Andre Boucaud for the FIFA World Cup qualifier between the two countries on March 25 in the Dominican Republic.

The letter dated April 23 said, "The GFF believes Boucaud was ineligible for selection as a registered intermediary and, as such, any points secured by T&T during any related FIFA World Cup qualification matches should be forfeited."

Boucaud did not play in T&T's 3-0 win over Guyana but played against Puerto Rico three days later in a 1-1 draw.

"Boucaud, who was registered as an intermediary with the English Football Association at the time, was selected in T&T's match day squad," the letter said.

"Under FIFA rules, all conflicts of interest with intermediaries or agents must be avoided. Intermediaries cannot have any contractual relationship with a national football association. Under English Football Association rules, players cannot be registered intermediaries."

GFF president Wayne Forde said, "We have taken this matter very seriously and have presented our findings to FIFA that this individual was ineligible to play for T&T as a registered intermediary with the English FA.

"It is vital for the integrity and fairness of the game that the rules are respected and upheld by everyone. We look forward to FIFA's response in due course."

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: Trinidad and Tobago could lose World Cup qualifying points
« Reply #19 on: April 25, 2021, 07:58:17 AM »
As president of the GFF, I would protest too. That's his responsibility.

Offline pull stones

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Re: Trinidad and Tobago could lose World Cup qualifying points
« Reply #20 on: April 25, 2021, 05:02:54 PM »
As president of the GFF, I would protest too. That's his responsibility.
when you have a leg to stand on, but grasping at straws is not a good look especially when bucoo didn't play in the guyana game. according to fifa rules pertaining to player eligibility, he has a right to play for us because of his TT passport even not being registered with a team, not so?

 

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