As a young man growing up, my mother always told me that when you have nothing good to say about someone, say nothing. But my goodness, TTFA (T&T Football Association), how much more can the people of T&T take from your Association? How long do we ignore the absurdity that is passing for good governance?
An article began to make its rounds on the internet with the headline, "TTFA’s bank account frozen! DJW compared to Trump as Court leans on football body again".
The message went on to read that the TTFA was engrossed in fresh chaos as the body’s bank account was frozen due to a court order requested by members of the national futsal team.
My dear readers, I am sure you remember the futsal team has been battling with the TTFA over the last three years with respect to the payment of monthly stipends, per diem and match fees to the technical staff and players.
In December 2018, Justice Margaret Mohammed awarded the national futsal players and technical staff approximately TT$475K plus interest at three per cent per annum. The TTFA was also ordered to pay the team’s legal fees of roughly TT$69K. The ruling went on to mandate the TTFA to pay this money immediately however, the association asked for 28 days to get the money together.
Instead, “the local Trump” instructed his attorneys to file an appeal. How low can you go?
The national futsal team head coach is former strike squad captain Clayton Morris. Morris as far as I am concerned is a national hero. He took us with his strike squad to the brink of qualification for the 1990 World Cup; he is a true fighter, a warrior in every sense of the word. He gave his all for his country as national captain and made the country proud of the infamous strike squad. He was in tears after our defeat against the USA and as he walked around the stadium field acknowledging the applause of the thousands packed like sardines in the venue, it was as if he took responsibility for the defeat.
Morris above all should not have to be going through this. He must have been elated at the ruling as the members of the futsal team would be finally rewarded with what would be rightfully theirs. He must have felt this is the football fraternity, these are my footballing brothers so if they were asking for 28 days, then that would be good enough for them to come up with the money and at least the players would start 2019 in a good frame of mind.
Little did he know that three months on he would have to go back to court to ask them to freeze the TTFA bank account so that they can get their money. I am sorry TTFA but you should be ashamed how you have handled this national futsal team and the way you have treated Clayton Morris. It is glaringly obvious that the hierarchy in the TTFA doesn’t care about the effort and commitment people put into football unless it’s a follower or friend.
I have just seen a release sent by the president of the TTFA which I am thankful for because, like you, I would like to know about this sordid treatment to Morris and the futsal team. To be honest, the release has left me with, as usual, more questions than answers.
The release states this administration inherited a debt of over $30M incurred by the previous administration (here we go again the blame game) however, I understand the previous administration inherited a debt of $38M and paid our 2006 World Cup heroes and when they left office, the debt was roughly $14M.
Someone needs to explain how the debt grew by $16M. Is this TTFA release correct with those figures? Or was the previous administration’s accounting not so accurate? Please, somebody, anybody, tell me the truth? Is all of this acceptable to board members?
I am sure we have not heard the last of this and there is more to come. It may not be with the futsal team but bacchanal and the TTFA go hand in glove - it is never too far away.
Finally, let’s turn to something more pleasant on the field of play. As far as international games are concerned this week, what a test for our Soca Warriors. Coming up against Wales managed by former Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs and with the likes of Gareth Bale, Ben Davies etc, it is going to be tough for our boys.
Wales would be using this game as a warm up before their first Euro 2020 qualifier four days later against Slovakia but it is far from a warm-up game for the Welch. Their players would be fighting to win a place in their team for the important qualifier against the Slovaks.
It will be interesting to see what final team Dennis Lawrence picks as I do not expect them to go toe to toe with their opponents but set up tight at the back and in midfield and play the counter-attacking game. All in all, it should be a worthwhile game for Lawrence to judge our standard. By the time you read this column, you would already know the result but good luck to the Soca Warriors!