Trinidad and Tobago national coach Leo Beenhakker yesterday denied that chief scout and ex-captain David Nakhid was fired despite alleged assertions to the contrary by Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (T&TFF) special advisor Jack Warner.
On Sunday, Warner allegedly informed listeners on Radio WMJX 100.5 FM that the Lebanon-based Nakhid was relieved from his duties, on Beenhakker's advice, just five days after his controversial appearance on TV6's Morning Edition programme.
Nakhid suggested that some members of the Syrian community were involved in the drug trade and questioned why they were not being investigated.
The T&TFF subsequently apologised to the Syrian community and insisted that Nakhid does not speak for the football organisation.
Beenhakker admitted that Nakhid will play no role within his camp for Trinidad and Tobago's two-legged World Cup Play-Off fixtures against Bahrain next month.
However, the Holland-born coach said Nakhid's absence was merely because he had already completed his duties for the qualifying campaign.
"He is not fired," said Beenhakker, who is in Europe at present. "I have nothing to say about (him being fired) because he was not fired. We don't need him for the next two games because we already have all the (scouting) report we need from Bahrain."
Beenhakker refused to say whether Nahkid, who once played under him at Swiss club FC Grasshoppers, would be reinstated if Trinidad and Tobago progress to the World Cup final.
Instead, the former Holland and Real Madrid coach insisted his focus was only on Bahrain.
"Everyone is talking about Germany," said Beenhakker.
"First step, let us try to beat Bahrain. Then, we will have enough time to make preparations for Germany."
Beenhakker returns to Trinidad in early November to prepare the squad for their final qualifying hurdles at home on November 12 and in Bahrain on November 16.