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The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) today issued a stinging broadside aimed at the head of the football body’s main sponsor, Sport Minister Brent Sancho, as the tit for tat between the two parties was surprisingly restarted.
(Courtesy SPORTT Company)
The TTFA release, which was authorised by president Raymond Tim Kee and general secretary Sheldon Phillips, rebutted suggestions by the Sport Ministry that it had been less than forthright about funding received by CONCACAF.
However, the football body raised the ante by blaming Sancho, a former 2006 World Cup player and litigant against the TTFA, for putting politics over patriotism and creating a poisonous environment.
“Since Minister (Brent) Sancho’s appointment, recent incidents, including what can only be described as a coercive action where the ministry threatened at the last minute to withhold funding for our March friendly against Panama,” stated the TTFA release, “unless the TTFA accepted responsibility for a $625,000 travel bill authorized by the Ministry in 2014, have created an environment that is not conducive to working together on behalf of our national footballers and technical staff.”
The TTFA’s statements, whether accurate or not, are oddly timed with the National Senior Men’s Team, which is competing in the the CONCACAF Gold Cup, soon to be due match fee along with the National Under-23 Men’s Team and Senior Women’s Teams at the Pan American Games.
(Copyright Jonathan Daniel/AFP 2015)
The Sport Ministry virtually bankrolls the TTFA at present while the Women’s National Under-17 and Under-20 Teams are due for competitive action soon and the senior “Soca Warriors” start their Russia 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign in October.
Of course, Trinidad and Tobago will hold its general election on September 7 and Tim Kee, who is treasurer of the opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) and the Port of Spain Mayor, might expect to have a new Government in place in two months time.
It might be interpreted in some quarters as a calculated political gamble then, which would mock the TTFA’s assertion that: “patriotism above politics will win out.”
Although the football body would probably retort that it is merely speaking up for itself in the face of alleged character assassination by the Sport Minister.
The following is the full TTFA release:
(Courtesy Wired868)
The TTFA wishes to emphatically rebut recent assertions made by Minister of Sport, Brent Sancho, claiming our organization has not been forthcoming regarding supporting funds received from CONCACAF.
By way of written communication and via meetings between representatives of the Ministry and TTFA, the Ministry was alerted to funds available to TTFA from CONCACAF. It is clear, however, that the Ministry has not taken into consideration CONCACAF funds received would be shared among several of our national teams and not solely preserved for the Senior Men’s National Team.
The TTFA has received $71,000 USD from CONCACAF for use by our national teams currently in training and competition.
Of the $71,000 received, $25,161.14 USD has been used to support the travel-related expenses of our senior men’s team, U23 men’s team, U17 women’s team, and U20 women’s team. In anticipation of the disbursement from the Cabinet note that was specifically earmarked for the Senior Men’s National, the TTFA sought to provide funding for other lower profile, but equally important national teams.
(Courtesy CONCACAF)
These expenses include US visa payments, lodging, excess baggage fees, medical supplies for travel, and insurance. Therefore and contrary to a building narrative pushed, the TTFA was successful in sourcing alternative funding to support its teams in an effort to reduce dependency on the Ministry.
Despite our best efforts, communication with the Ministry continues to be an issue. We have worked with members of the Ministry who have, at heart, the best interests of T&T football and the TTFA will continue to work assiduously with the Ministry to achieve these common objectives.
However, it is vital for the two entities to work together on behalf of the national team players and technical staff who represent our twin island republic.
We have engaged in successful collaboration with the Ministry of Sports in the past and recently received tremendous support from the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of National Security in obtaining duties waivers for our national team kit.
Sancho is a former World Cup 2006 player and CEO of local Pro League club, Central FC.
(Courtesy SPORTT)
However, since Minister Sancho’s appointment, recent incidents, including what can only be described as a coercive action where the ministry threatened at the last minute to withhold funding for our March friendly against Panama unless the TTFA accepted responsibility for a $625,000 travel bill authorized by the Ministry in 2014, have created an environment that is not conducive to working together on behalf of our national footballers and technical staff.
Since the new TTFA administration took office, we have confronted numerous fiscal challenges inherited from the previous TTFF administrations with a solid plan to address the financial health of the organization.
We have managed to successfully engage in an aggressive debt reduction effort that has seen TTFA debt reduced from the $36 million that was met to currently $13 million in the space of 18 months.
We have engaged KPMG to restart their efforts in organizing TTFF audit reports; which were discontinued in 2008 and have authorized our audit partners to publish the completed reports from 2008 – 2014, which will be a first for the organization.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
At the end of July, the TTFA will unveil its new brand, Socawarriors, to the public and the purpose will be utilize the revenue stream developed from Socawarriors gear sales to support national team players and technical staff in an effort to further reduce our dependence on government to compensate the two most vital pillars of the football family.
The TTFA has continuously stated its desire to work with the Ministry of Sport as a partner in advancing our football on the international level. We are hopeful the Minister can recall his days as a national footballer pushing to solicit support from the government, private sector, and the governing body for the benefit of his teammates.
Minister Sancho is now in the position to assist the TTFA in providing the same benefits and opportunities to current national team players he sought in his playing days.
It is our hope that patriotism above politics will win out and the spirit of cooperation will prevail for the advancement of football, the game we all love, in Trinidad and Tobago.
Sancho was announced as the Sport Minister in February 2015.
(Courtesy Wired868)
TTFA’s Use of CONCACAF Travel Fund and Gold Cup Advance (USD)
Match fees: $33,000.00
Baggage Charges: $1,493.74
Insurance: $1,744.37
Visa Payments: $4,192.50
Ground Transportation: $2,546.87
Meals: $1,269.60
Medical Supplies: $5,950.31
Travel Kit: $2,851.25
Lodging: $5,112.50
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Lasana Liburd is the managing director and chief editor at Wired868.com and a journalist with over 20 years experience at several Trinidad and Tobago and international publications including Play the Game, World Soccer, UK Guardian and the Trinidad Express.
Bruce Aanensen, don’t scare us please.
Sancho is a clown. He has an axe to grind because he has furiously demanded the TTFA go after Jack Warner for missing monies.
The TTFA should go after Warner, but common sense dictates that they FIRST receive from their auditors, a full financial report that details all cash in and. All cash out. When that audit is complete and there is a paper trail showing exactly where all the cash went and all who benefitted from it, then it would be the time for Tim Kee to go after Jack.
If Sancho wants the cash strapped TTFA to go after Jack in court then the Minister should pay their legal fees to do just that. They cannot pay staff, players, creditors etc. so where are the legal fees coming from?
Sancho obviously made a deal with Kamla, she paid them their bonuses, mind you after rejecting their pleas and plight for four years!!!! Why? Is she so gracious, caring and magnanimous? Hell no!
Politics! She is using Sancho to further her political agenda and he is so angry at the perceived slight by the TTFA that he is blinded to the truth.
Sancho is a stupid clown.
Debbie not reading this thing right, I’m surprised….he’s their treasurer Debs!
Debbie, they may make him Minister of Sport.
Everytime this unc government give a handout you have to convert to unc, the national teams and athletes represents Trinidad and Tobago ,hands off Brent Sancho.
A ‘Sancho Must Go’ campaign would be on no use. He gorn from September 7th, 2015.
Might as well wish for World peace, an end to racism and poverty while you’re at it Che.
Tim Kee is not a political problem/issue…. In his current capacity as TtFa President, no one can remove him, no PNM, No UNC, only a TTfA elections…. Both the senior Men and Women have put in some very positive performances, and are deserving of our full support.. I would however like to see proper Support systems from TTFA, more development programs, more training camps, accountability, transparency….
No response to amount of money received from CONCACAF?
I guess it all depends on what you mean by “no response”…
“The TTFA has received $71,000 USD from CONCACAF for use by our national teams currently in training and competition.”
The only reason we talking political Bruce Aanensen it’s because we’re hopeful if PNM wins they might rid us of that noose they call Tim Kee.
He never had voice when he was Jack ‘s lieutenant and the money gone but he now have throat.What a shame!Soca Warriors new found hero!!!!!
I agree with the find positives comment Bruce Aanensen! I have been saying that for the longest while your political bias is confusing tho?? But as i have told uncle Earl Mango Pierre vibes it up!!
I see someone wrote a comment that the footballers are PNM for life and the PNM treating them like tata. When was a survey of the footballers political preference done?
Find the positives in our football. 3-1 vs Guatemala and tonight 2-0 vs Cuba. Into the quarter finals. That is a positive for me. If you all wish to continue to project the negatives and advertise your political bias feel free. I not in that.
We have to thank Lasana for bringing the info to us but just think after Sept 7 if Tim Kee & Co wins no one would be able to ask anything eh. Lasana your job is just beginning
We lucky we could get some info now, wait til after the election and if Tim Kee’s party in office we dogs dead.
So what do you suggest we do Savitri Maharaj? Don’t vote out only the MOST corrupt Government that this country led by none other than the “Smiling Assassin” has ever seen?(sorry about that Dwight Yorke). Tim Kee has his flaws..of this I have no doubt(I’m no Tim Kee fan myself) but should the bigger picture of country be overlooked or ignored because of such? It seems like a rock and a hard place scenario…but country MUST take precedence over this one.
I’m not going to share my thoughts here
Absolutely!. It’s curious that people are now quick to talk about TTFA “politicising” the issue when Sancho’s main sponsor at Central FC was SIS Construction, the same SIS that along with Jack, bankrolled the PP government’s campaign 5 years ago. Last year, his mouthpiece, Harrison swore up and down that Sancho had no designs on government… next thing you know he arranged the photo-op with the PM after the CFU finals… he was rewarded three months later with a Ministerial appointment. Peopel really think it’s coincidence that ne not only replaced Rupert Griffith as MoS and is now campaigning for his constituency?
Lasana you real shameless yes. Sancho has questioned Tim Kee’s competence and integrity on numerous occasions, dating back to the WC dispute over reneged payments. Never once have you labeled anything that he said, an “attack.” Since taking office Sancho has on numerous occasions gone to the press to question again, the competence and integrity of the TTFA leadership. Most recently being last week when he suggested that they tried to hide CONCACAF payments, and that on top of that, once found out, they tried to first lie about it, then refused to say how it was spent. Now they respond to the accusations… you complaining about the “timing” of the release? Maybe it would be better if Sancho just had you write his releases for him instead, since you can’t be bothered with even the pretense of impartiality.
All is well with the world when you of all people are lecturing me about impartiality. Go with God buddy.
It seems like quite the gamble with another two months before the general election.
Them really good yes.
I cant seem to get the gist of this article…something wrong with Tim Kee head?
Neither me but i could blame him for chaining them up tho!! Note he play peacemaker but say the TTFA get all this money same argument the girls was using in the first place!! Elementary dear Watson!! And be patient the relevations coming timing is everything in war!!
Yeah Gordon Pierre is really time that you expose all the evidence eh and stop holding back from bussing the other files man expose all of them corrupted money hungry people nah. Them really good yes.
Lol. If a Minister builds you a sport facility and poses for a picture on it, would that be self-promotion or community assistance?
I say when I have an issue with stuff no matter who the person is doing it. But I can’t criticise him for helping the Women Warriors to represent their country.
You will have to produce evidence Gordon Pierre. Even Jack Warner showing his hand these days yuh know.
And when i speak of the minister i have to say preappointment now?? But what i am talking about is the person whether as minister or before because as minister he is a just come!! I also want to clarify the term relationship – i am talking about any inaction with the players because like that term frighten you so you talking about spice Lasana Liburd!!!! Ok my brother? I am not the tnt mirror!!!
Poison has been the name of the game for a very long time so nothing much has changed.
When Sancho spoke about players being unhappy during the last World Cup campaign, he was a club chairman who had players from his team on the national team Gordon Pierre. If you have proof that the Sport Minister pushed players to strike from national duty, then that is another matter and very serious. I don’t have proof of that.
But by all accounts, it was Sancho’s promise to pay match fees that got the women on the plane. So that doesn’t suggest someone who was asking them to strike.
Lasana Liburd you are adding apples and grapes the two statements speak to different things his interest in the TTFA accounts have to do with his idea real or imagine that the TTFA is flowing with money which ppl are using for their own gain. The player relationship have to deal with him instigating the players with the talk that the TTFA is being unfair to them because they collect money from here or there as is the case with the Pan Am scenrio. You for a fact know that after the concacaf group stage the minister contacted you to tell you
the girls were upset about contracts and when you enquire you that to be untrue and that occured more than once!! Truth or lie come on man!!
I am not a cyber bully or a position bully as the minister was described by the TTFA!! I comment from a place of knowledge backed by evidence!!
I repeat. They all fulla shit and all self serving.
If Sancho has an interest in the TTFA’s accounts, I can’t see how that has anything to do with any presumed relationship with a player.
He is a former World Cup player himself who still has a pending legal matter with the TTFA. We don’t need to add any extra spice to that in my opinion.
The obvious point, which you conveniently overloook, is that Sancho is convinced that there is more in the mortar than the pestle where the TTFA’s funding is concerned. He tells the players as much, and so they believe the TTFA is holding back money and squeezing them… when the reality is that there isn’t any money. In sum he’s using his personal opinion to sway current players even further against the TTFA.
Antonio Feliziano i am very aware of that but he have use his relationship with some of the players by giving them false info about the TTFA finances you think it by chance he is so interested in the TTFA accounts? I
just to inform you that i am very involved in sport especially football at more than one level and have evidence to back up my claims!!
I can absolutely verify this as well.
This is bound to affect the three national football teams in action now and the other who are due to compete soon.
Antonio Feliziano i know Tim Kee is PNM and have already expressed my feelings towards him to their political Leader. A total wase down with TTFA and as Mayor. They can’t get rid of him fast enough.
Gordon, Sancho has been a very recent appointment…definitely not 3 years
Tony, Sancho has been undermining the TTFA long before he became Minister. He was the one who was “advising” the men during their strike during the CFU Tournament last November.
Surveys are conducted on a regular basis , by all people who watch football, play foot ball and know people involved in football …
If you ever meet someone like that, go ahead and ask them and add to the survey ..
please…
Dat good! They’re trying soooo very hard to politicize our National Teams! What should one expect? The National Teams represent US as a Nation NOT UNC or PP or PNM but WE THE PPL!
PNM get rid of Timkee??? As in the Party TREASURER??? AH HA HA HA HA…
When will this end? When one looks at the positive results being achieved by our teams, all without any proper administration or preparation…, what if??? Sigh
oh ho..if that’s the case then that’s really wishful thinking at this stage cause after reading the socawarriors.net interview with Tim Kee I think he plans on being there a long time lol
ok … jus wanted to know… and Antonio Feliziano I think what Debbie Espinal was leaning towards is that she hopes the PNM administration gets rid of Tim Kee… as in the onus is on them, him being a member of their admin…
No Teflon Shawn. He isn’t.
Why? Why they do this shit in the MIDDLE of a senior squad campaign??
When would have been a better time to respond to the most recent accusations that they were lying and being deceitful? Should they have waited until after the Tournament?
By chance, Ashwin Creed still wukkin dey??
Debbie u do know that Tim Kee is PNM right?
Steups
Both bodies fulla shit. Lets hope the PNM rid us of Tim Kee once and for all.
Mr Sancho like to focus on the TTFA ,up to now has not recognized the SSFL …..fifty years old , ?I suppose we should do some creative accountancy and look for a bailout….worked for CLICO and TTFA
PNM get rid of Tim Kee ….
If allyuyh doltish PNM supporters want to get rid of Tim Kee, I hope you are voting PP in the next election ….
Foot Ballers suffering because they are all PNM till they dead, and it is ONLY the UNC ever do anything for football in this country …
you’ll idiots voting for the PNM and the PNM treating allyuh like tata,,
Football deserves the crap they get , because they literately VOTE FUH DAT ….
You are a real NOBODY, this is football talk , leave PNM out of this.