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Address from Brent Sancho on behalf of the 13 World Cup 2006 players:
I am overwhelmed.
On behalf of those of us who have been fighting a long, tough legal battle to get our just due payment for our efforts at the FIFA World Cup, Germany 2006, this moment means more than any of us can describe.
While so many have turned their backs on us and ignored our pleas, we have finally been heard; as is acknowledged here today.
And what a time for it to happen. Here we are on the eve of World Cup, 2014, Brazil and when our own memories of that time return mixed with the emotions of our unsettled payments, we can truly celebrate and pay tribute to those who have chosen to honour us.
On behalf of the Soca Warriors members who stuck it out over the years enduring so many legal battles may I take the time to express my gratitude to the Honourable Prime Minister and her government for this heart warming gesture.
We recognize that the government has no legal obligation to assist us yet chose to do so through this gesture. All of Trinidad and Tobago can breathe a collective sigh of relief that a moment that brought us all so much happiness and pride is free of any grievance.
Those who played their hearts out have asked me to convey their sincere appreciation. We will all follow the events in Brazil this week with an unfettered spirit and only great memories of the time the Trinidad and Tobago anthem played on the football field in Germany.
Thank you all for the recognition.
Each one of us, humbly accepts this gift from the nation. We feel acknowledged and deeply grateful.
Brent Sancho, for and on behalf of the Soca Warriors
Letter from TTFA president Raymond Tim Kee, who initially reached a settlement with the World Cup players but then failed to adhere to it:
Dear Honourable Prime Minister,
Thank you!
(Courtesy FIFA)
After 11 months of collaboration and discussion between our organization and your office as well as other ministries, the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association would like to express our gratitude for your acknowledging the outstanding debt owed to the 2006 Soca Warriors. This is a tremendously important and joyous day for all of us football lovers.
Records will indicate, our initial efforts focused on the invaluable role government can play in making football relevant again in Trinidad and Tobago, starting with addressing the vexing issue surrounding the debts owed to the ’06 Warriors and others such as Russell Latapy and other members of our technical staff.
The sport of football plays an immeasurable role in this nation and the rest of the world as the world’s most popular sport. The attention commanded by the World Cup in Brazil further underscores the depth and reach of the sport.
As the entity recognized by FIFA to govern football in Trinidad and Tobago, we are particularly pleased that after months of discussion between our organization and the government, as reflected in the attached correspondence, football in Trinidad and Tobago will thrive as a result of your benevolence.
It continues to be our firm belief that football can be used as an effective and compelling tool for crime reduction and community development.
Honourable Prime Minister, on behalf of our Executive, administration, and rest of our football family, we say thank you very much indeed.
Warm regards,
Raymond Tim Kee, TTFA president
Release from former TTFF special advisor, Jack Warner, who continues to hide the 2006 World Cup revenue and refused to pay the Soca Warriors:
(Courtesy FIFA.com)
I understand that the Prime Minister will be paying the 2006 Soca Warriors the sum of $1.3 million this evening at her home.
I want to take this opportunity to wish them well and to hope that this finally brings closure to this matter.
This group of footballers who played three matches in the 2006 World Cup in Germany and who never scored a goal nor win a match there and who now stand to benefit from the Prime Minister’s benevolent gesture received $20 million dollars from the Patrick Manning administration, $7 million from FIFA, $4 million from the TTFF, $6 million from Jack Warner through the Courts of Trinidad and Tobago and now $1.3 million USD from the People’s Partnership Government; a total sum of close to $50 million dollars and this excludes gifts from private organisations like Clico and others.
It is my sincere wish that this is the end of this story and that the furniture and the archival material, which the TTFA lost when this team of footballers levied on the TTFF, will now be returned to it.
However, if the Prime Minister really wants to demonstrate that this is truly benevolence and not Public Relations to lift the flagging image of her Minister of Sport, then I wish to advise her to go further and save the home of Oliver Camps.
Camps who served football with distinction for over 50 years as President and Team Manager and who was the most successful football manager ever, taking our seniors to the 2006 World Cup in Germany signed a promissory note of $480,000.00 USD on behalf of the TTFF in order to procure the services of Wim Risenberg (sic) as coach of the national team.
The TTFF has been unable to raise the money and now Al Roberts’ firm, father of the Minister of Sport, is now moving to levy on this 98-year-old senior citizen.
Mr. Camps’ home, Madam Prime Minister, is now threatened. If he cannot raise the money he will lose it by September 2014, if not before.
In this regard I am therefore asking the Prime Minister to be as benevolent to Mr. Camps as she has been to these footballers and save the home of this 98 year old senior citizen.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jack Warner, former special advisor to the then T&TFF
Editor’s Note: Click HERE to read the Soca Warriors’ attorney Michael Townley’s response to the W/Cup settlement and the comments from Raymond Tim Kee and Jack Warner.
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Really disappointed in Warner’s response but then…….say what
and Kelvin Jack…if you dont want to cuss here…let me know and i will happily do it for you
When Warner took over Trinidad football in 1973, we already had a foreign coach and more than half the squad was playing alongside the likes of Pele, Franz Beckenbauer and George Best in the US.
For those who think Trinidad and Tobago football was nothing before Warner, think again. History says otherwise.
Arguably our best team ever, our 1973 team that beat Mexico 4-0, happened before Warner.
Because there are many who won’t think that far.
Fourth, in what universe is the government or a wealthy benefactor the only sponsors of a team?
I can’t believe you all are buying that nonsense. So when TSTT and Carib and KFC and eBay and BP and everyone holding press conference and announcing million dollar sponsorship deals, they are just joking around?
You mean in 2014 people still saying Warner bankrolled the team for years?! You would swear T&T is a place without internet and cut off from the rest of the world.
200,000,000 is d best guess that he received. U really think Jack spend his own money good 4 u. I Will never believe it.
All I would say is produce the accounts. That also goes for Tim Kee. As PNM Treasurer its not a good look for the Party for him to be hiding information just like Jack Warner.
POS mayor past an present is the worst.
Everyone.. I have read all comments here. I have also digested carefully what Jack Warner has said and I’m struggling to not respond with an expletive laden nuclear attack. Jack Warner talks because he has a hole in his face. TRUST ME.. If I were Mr Warner I would be reciting the our father prayer and thanking God that I’m not doing prison time. Warner has the audacity to criticise the players? These are the players who helped to generate over 200 million dollars under his watch which remains unaccounted for!!! To believe there are people who would give this man the time of day beggars belief. I know all the FACTS AND FIGURES in this case and anyone who dares to criticise should understand or see the facts before they do. In my opinion the TTFA have been bullies throughout their history and have treated players with disdain. That organisation has to change for football to prosper. Their arrogant and belligerent attitude disgusts me. Those officials are delusional about their importance. The most important people in sports are in this order, the players, the coach/manager, the fans, the sponsors… Then the officials.. I have a lot to say about this case in the coming days. The population need to know certain things…
Right here u slammed TTFF President/PNM Treasurer/POS Mayor recently, again none so blind as those with paid agendas..
I am not sure about the 7 million from FIFA. But that might have been the money which was supposed to go to charity and was paid first.
Some of the mentioned was divided between 24 players (including Silvio Spann), some between 23 and the rest between 13.
I think half the money went to the 23.
As for Kenroy, if I promise you 500 and give you 200 when would you say is enough?
I believe the Spain national team was promised 15 percent of earnings at the South Africa World Cup. Jack Warner, in his wisdom, promised 50.
Whose fault is that?
The money isn’t at the TTFA headquarters. Warner supposedly has it. Is that preferable?
A story that makes one person look bad is a benefit to the other side. I cannot concern myself with that.
When I knock the PP, I am a PNM tool. When I knock the PNM, I am a PP assassin.
That is the nature of the game. I only have to trust that people with sense will see. Those are the readers I care about.
Lasana, that is typically how Trinidadians are, we just don’t like to face facts. We also love to marginalise people once we don’t agree with them, even if the person has a valid point. In my personal opinion (one can call me by any name or place me in any party), all the actors in this game of charades are very similiar characters. They have hidden agendas and are mainly concern about self preservation that the preservation of all. I agree that Mr. Warner did put his foot in his mouth by offering 50% and I guess when he realized what disease he was suffering from he tried to treat it with the anti-his-to-determine and it just did not work, propably was not strong enough. The Honourable PM (only used honourable because children might be reading and I want to teach them respect), that act too has its motives and agenda. The Brent Sancho act, again has his (or theirs, if we are lumping them all together and he is just the feature speaker). Raymond Tim Kee, Act IV, a tale of two tongues, also has personal motives. All in all, the play is very deserving of a Cacique Award or if taken on the road and internationally a Tony Award may be forthcoming. So there we go…Queen’s Hall or better yet NAPA, is missing out big time.
One day we should spend sometime discussion the Jack Warner myth..cause he is not anything but a crook. Until the poor people in Haiti gets their money which Jack clearly stole it and possible used it to finance the UNC 2010 election, that man should be liken to worst form of creature on two legs. everything he has is from corruption and ill gotten gain, he is no businessman. nothing admirable about him. Center of Excellence where big business happening is the biggest scandal and symbol of corruption. Is that how we teach our young people our children to do business. Somebody give me a break, let me go sleep eh.
And Lasana, maybe its to late now but you have to be careful that you are not being used by FIFA to spread their dirty internal politics with all the mudslinging against mr warner. They can be using you and maybe you do or dont know
The ways of a UNC and Jack apologist are simple, employ reductionism to conversations, appear objective and balance obscure facts and paint illusions under the guise of independent thought…It remains the strategy to this day cause it worked well back 2007 to 2010. In the final analysis if person are not careful the conversation intent is shifted to matters far drawn from the main topic and such protagonist becomes an effective troll. Lasana Liburd be so guided. Have a good morning.
I have never received any favour from Mr. Warner, Although I know his cell and house number I do not call them. He is not my friend but I respect him as a business man and i think sometimes he is unfairly criticise
What? No evidence? You must have failed reading comprehension in school.
No evidence Kenroy Ambris? You should have offered your legal advice to the Sport Dispute Resolution Panel in London (which Jack Warner and the TTFF chose themselves!) and the Trinidad High Courts.
They felt they had plenty evidence. I have to call you Kenroy SC.
I cant tell the last year i had a conversation with Jack, so he is not my friend. I just believe that we are all criticising him with no evidence to prove
None so blind as those paid not to see..
Keep waiting for that Kenroy. Over a decade now, people in the industry saying that Jack would love to have me and Jack always hire critics like me.
Eventually it will sink in that not everyone is for sale.
“A year earlier, the TTFF had told the “Soca Warriors” and the media that it had collected $18.2 million. Hislop suspected the true revenue might be closer to $30 million; half of which was promised to the players.
But the FOAI figure, which excluded gate receipts for qualifiers and friendlies as well as broadcast rights, revealed that the players had grossly underestimated their own entitlement.
The TTFF had collected $173,690,113.50 from corporate deals known to the Government; and that excluded several overseas agreements, gate receipts for World Cup qualifiers and friendlies as well as broadcast rights”
I feel Lasana vying to write Jack’s next bio
Kenroy Ambris, take my advice, all Jack’s friends end up like Oliver Camps. Or they are lucky and get out quick.
Whether it is RamJack, Bas&Jack, Augustus and Jack, Manohar & Jack, Groden and Jack, CampsJack… It is always the same. Be careful pardner.
Committee finished its recommendations over a month or two ago. Shhhh. I will get to that Carlos. 😉
Really Kenroy? Ah think you working for Jack. Revisit your postings.
Isn’t there a committee looking at revamping the TTFA’s constitution? Is there an update on where they’re at?
Same thing ah talking bout lasana, lol. I never work for Jack in meh life. The media getting it wrong again.
Yep. The option is there and they know how to do it if they want to.
Lasana Liburd – thanks for the Lincoln article. Wasn’t aware that was out there.
Kenroy Ambris, Jack sure got more than a photographer when he hired you boi… Best business decision he ever made. 😉
D REVOLUTION HAS BEEN CANCELLED
Ok, I move to rest my case. No further questions. (Packs imaginary papers and files in an imaginary bag).
Kenroy fellah. Jack needs to go in court and defend himself. He never shows there does he? Coincidence you think?
There are not two sides to a story when accounts are concerned. These is just a valid accounting book. Bring that first and talk after.
Btw Carlos Lee, here is the blueprint for overthrowing the TTFA/TTFF as written by Lincoln Phillips.
Of course sine he wrote this his son has become general secretary:
http://wired868.com/2012/01/23/fifa-must-overturn-illegitimate-ttff-2/
Yes. The Warriors were offered a percentage well above what any other team was offered. Why? Maybe it was too good to be true because it was. Warner just wanted them to play and not harass him.
So it wasn’t about what the other teams got; but what Jack promised this squad on behalf of the TTFF.
Oliver Scamps – I mean Camps is well taken cared off by JW. Don’t be fooled. He didn’t facilitate JW’s schemes for free. Only crocodile tears to fool the public and get more free dollars. They were all in it together. Groden included. People think that JW’s Special Advisor role was created for joke. It was a clandestine way to give JW full control of the TTFF and all WC dollars, while having no real legal role in the organization. Camps was JW’s puppet. He did all JW’s dirty works and plan to take his secrets to the grave.
Ok well I following you. Basically the $38 million (give or take) is way below what they should receive. On average a team qualifying for the World Cup and getting knocked out in the group stage should make about $10 million USD (give or take). The 2006 Warriors were promised 50% of all football revenue. Warner, after seeing how much money everybody offered before final figures came in simply offered $5000 TT and carry home the accounts books. So the money generated could have been $100 million or $300 million. Nobody but Jack knows. Is that the crux of the matter? And the basis of the Warriors case?
Lasana, I am not blinded by Jack nor you, My mother always told me there are 2 sides to every story, sometimes 3, I read all your articles and at the same time i also paid attention to mr. Warner’s defence in all allegations against him.
He does not defend himself often but whenever he decides to do it I pay attention because I am one trini that believe in being fair and balance.
I do not follow the crowd and start accusing stupidly because of what i read in the media because sometimes the media (including you) get it wrong.
So until i see evidence infront of me ( which i never ssee) I am not going to join the rest of trinidad and find the man guilty
Doh feel sorry 4 Ollie he made his bed. Not 2 mention he get inducted in d Hall of Fame 4 what God alone knows
Kenroy, there are half a dozen CONCACAF funds available to Trinidad not counting our US$250,000 subvention. Not to mention sponsors. Not to mention teams that pay US to travel and play them.
A man cannot see unless he opens his eyes. You want to believe that the only money going into the TTFA came from Warner and he is the Mother Theresa of football, feel free.
You are welcome to your saint. But everyone ends up like Oliver Camps in the end. Spat out and broken.
Remember when d TTFF raffle the rolex anybody remember anybody winning it?
That is exactly what happened after they got d money Jack say a million is enough. So he came up wit d 5000TT and say ok d guys got a million so they will b cool.
Lasana Liburd you are telling the public that Jack Warner banked all of TTFF money and not a bill was paid. No salary, No contractor was paid, Jack thief all TTFF money. He never ever spent any of his money on football. Or maybe you never investigate how much he spent so you dont have figures
And I am not including any gifts or whatever from third parties. From the TTFA and Warner how much have they received? Because Warner can’t use the government ‘gift’ to say well Manning give you $20 million so now I owe you nothing, we square.
All the figures Jack Warner mentioned are accurate. Except the $7 million which was due for charity. So that means $38 million. Some was divided between 24 players and staff. Some between 23 players. And some between 13 players.
Minus legal fees for an eight year case of course.
I do believe Warner spent from his own pockets in the early days, but that was because he could have seen the kick-back clear as day. He may have invested in the team initially and have always used that to make sure he collected his ‘just dues’ wherever and whenever he could. To paint him as a savior is a stretch, as well as to believe at any point he was seriously out of pocket. I get all that. Since following this case, up and down and across, there seems to be holes on both sides. I am asking now that Warner has mentioned that the Warriors have indeed received some form of compensation, to the tune of almost $50 million (shady maths aside), can the players confirm or deny that? Can the players say how much they have indeed received to date from their world cup exploits in 2006?
Nicole Philip Greene, I spoke about this on Wired868 group page.
Essentially, the players were offered around TT$5,000 from TTFF/Warner after the World Cup. They took legal advice.
London arbitrator ruled they were owed 50 percent of World Cup revenue. High Court upheld that.
The question is 50 percent of what?
Well, Warner still refuses to show the books. So we don’t know. And chances we are we will never know because Raymond Tim Kee refuses to follow the guidance of the court and take action against Warner to find out.
If Warner wants to talk figures, he needs to bring those accounting books.
Rhoda Bharath, let me bring you on this because it was raised elsewhere in terms of the players’ case against Warner…
Warner owes the TTFF millions that were allegedly siphoned from the football body. It could be hundreds of millions over the decades.
The TTFF owes the players. That doesn’t mean Warner necessarily owes the players.
If Kirk A Inniss owes me $100 and I owe Savitri Maharaj $50, I cannot tell Savitri to stop bugging me and go after Kirk instead. All the players can do is deal with the entity who owes them.
Yes, there was talk about the players chasing Warner but it was always a shot in the dark.
The victim is the TTFA and the victim refuses to report the crime. So what do you do?
If I was the government, I would refuse to give a cent to the football body once anyone who was connected to the past regime still had a position there.
Yes lots of people