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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 – I would never tempt fate by making that kind of statement.
Yuh forget he get he millions from the treasury thanks to tantie.
And why not? He is the PNM Treasurer and PNM mayor of Port of Spain. Why not Minister of Sport.
He cannot be the worse, we did have Anal Roberts.
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Perhaps but since there is no statue of limitations, anyone can come later on and take the action and where would he be?
How the banks allowed Warner to open accounts under names deliberately duplicating other legal entities like Concacaf (his version was C.O.N.C.A.C.A.F.) is something I still don’t understand.
He might be implicated Kendall?
Jack Warner is accused of allegedly misappropriating from the TTFA by directing payments to his personal accounts. And no – Jack was not the TTFA. He just acted like it was his personal toy. Even the judge told the TTFA to take action to recover the funds. Tim Kee’s reluctance is most curious indeed
Deb, he is the Treasurer? You want him to be Minister of Finance? Like Che said…let’s not get caught up in the politics. Let’s stop bashing Sanko for taking a stand albeit, for the wrong reasons maybe.
Savitri Maharaj i hope to God that is not so. I really don’t think PNM mad enough to make Tim Kee Min of Sport.
Worse, he lies and talks nonsense about such action not possible because of the statue of limitations.
Newsflash – there are no limitations in recovering funds lost through fraud. He never responded to the correction afaik. Lasana – do you recall?
The wc players had/have case against jack/ttfa….. It is another matter for the ttfa to take jack to court, what is their case? Jack was acting as the ttfa, so is it ttfa suing ttfa? In trying to untangle the entire thing, it may all be an exercise in futility. Another thing, the issue with the Ministry of Sports and the TTFA, why should the Ministry continue to feed the TtFA? This argument has gone on and on… The TTFA should be responsible for their expenses, etc.. Not the taxpayers. And if, there is real need for govt the step in, then, the ttfa should be showing their accounts. We need to not get caught up in politics, and I support the Minister in his stance, unless the executives of the ttfa get their acts together, then nothing. We talk of players suffering, the players have the power in their boots to light some fire under these executives….
^^^And that is why someone here made the joke of him being the next Minister of Sport because right how we seeing the tussle, who knows what will happen later on….we will be told nothing…it will be all honky dory…with money flowing to the TTFA from all directions. Altho some may not like Sanko, I think he’s giving Tim Kee a good run…what he needed a long time….
And one wonders why Tim Kee won’t take Jack to court. Like all ah we have chupidy stamp on we forehead. Steups!
The government cannot take action to recover funds allegedly stolen from the TTFA. The TTFA is the legal entity that suffered the loss and only they can sue.
Kendall your grasp of the facts are wanting. Embezzlement is a crime, as is theft, as is fraud. Criminal conduct can only be prosecuted by the state, not by private actors. The TTFA CAN sue, this is true, but it’s not the most prudent option, this is particularly the case since the TTFA cannot afford to litigate in court right now, and particularly since a significant portion of the allegedly stolen funds came from the public treasury. This convergence of facts almost dictates that the TTFA defer to the DPP on this matter, which it has… a dossier was submitted to the DPP either late last year or earlier this year for investigation and hopefully prosecution.
There is nothing preventing the TTFA from pursuing a civil case to recover the funds and this has NOTHING to do with a criminal action but the State. In fact, I can quote examples where the criminal case failed but civil action was successful. O. J. Simpson comes to mind immediately if you need an example.
Furthermore, the funds were allegedly stolen from the TTFA, not the State so your implication that the State is the one to sue is disingenuous at best. Are you trying to imply that the judge in the Players’ lawsuit did not know what he was talking about when he suggested that the TTFA pursue the recovery of the funds?
And as regards to lacking funds to pursue the matter – that is a nonsense. I am sure that there are lots of lawyers who would be willing to assist and it is not unheard of for them to take a case for a portion of the recovery. There are ads on cable all the time with legal firms advertising exactly that service.
So I can assure you Bakes, my grasp of the facts and the law is quite fine thanks. If you trying to defend the TTFA for not taking action, come better than that.
And the only ones suffering as usual are the footballers both male and female and the technical staff. We up a shit creek again.
It is quite a dilemma that T&T sports is in at the moment, especially football.
Very disappointed to hear Sancho say literally “not a damn cent for the footballers” So while we have three teams currently representing TnT abroad he’s like a schoolboy playing tit for tat with Tim Kee and don’t give a shit for the Sport he was once a part. Politics really is a dutty game and as far as i’m concerned he joined the rest of them, along with Tim Kee in the gutter.
Seems this chess game between the Ministry of Sport and the TTFA will be on for a while, and Sancho came back real strong today to put TTFA leadership in check. Let’s see what kind of rebuttal TTFA will throw out next. Sancho has made his move Q-QB check! TTFA, it’s your move, Tick Tock…. LOL
For the record, I am all for the betterment of T&T regardless who in power. I don’t have blinkers or tunnel vision when it comes to politics or religion. I’m not no rabid “PNM till ah dead” fanatic nor I’m some product of East Indians “who’s time is now so is revenge”.
what you on Chandani?..what did I post for you to come to the conclusion that my ‘political panties’ showing?
Lasana, be patient. You really feel the TTFA does not want its millions?
Why has the Government not gone after the millions? Most of it was public funds not so?
Chandani Boodoo, no need for slanging. Anyone is free to support whatever party they like or make a point without having allegiances questioned anyway.
Let’s not have the conversation degenerate into name calling
Worse Government Ever. Antonio your political panties showing.
Daren go bonce he head for sure! But I hear ya
Now hear that jackass Sancho talking some shit on good thing i do not go press conferences again!!! Anyhow i guaratnee that in two month he wil no longer be there bc even if the pp win the election Darren Ganga will be the new minister of sport!! He so stupid it is unbelieveable BBAS!! The first word is big
I deal with the TTFA too … but international club friendlies are quite often government funded and not a national FA matter … Sancho stated that he wanted the government involved in these matters, where other budget strategies come into the game too – eg, tourism, health, trade, etc
Chris, so why did you and your clients go through the Ministry of Sport and not the local football federation?
we wrote to Brent Sancho about bringing our clients, Feyenoord to TandT – training camp, coach education, clinics, exhibition games … this fell in line with what he proudly stated he wanted to see – many big clubs want a match fee, but Feyenoord did not ….. still waiting on a reply
The request would likely have to go thru the TTFA, especially if exhibition games etc. are being entertained. No other body in Trinidad and Tobago could authorize these matches but through the TTFA.
Birds of a feather flock together. Brent Sanchos is in close association with a bunch of bullies and it is not by accident
The best way not to disprove something is by not trying though Chandani Boodoo. The TTFA is asking people for money while simultaneously refusing to go after its own millions.
It will never be taken seriously until it changes that.
Chandani Boodoo, do not understand your comment “can talk big now” just expressing my personal opinion to which I am entitled like everyone else.
Contracts are individually negotiated, if the Soca Warriors progressed into the quarter finals then that possibility could have been expressedly been negotiated to reduce the role of the Ministry of Sport as revenue streams for the Soca Warriors incresed
Nothing anyone is saying is untrue! That is why Sancho is a big jackass. Four years and Kamla gave him the cold shoulder, referring to the HNIC as her go to man. Now that’s changed. Lol
And Lasana those legal minds mad. When is any case in Trinidad simple?
Lasana, the only reason i pointed to the players case is to show Jack’s tecalcitrance. Bruce can talk big now. But to me is pot calling kettle black
The banks and FIU will have questions to answer about allowing these transactions in a private account passing without scrutiny for decades.
The evidence was never hard to find. It’s just that nobody took any action. The issue with the Centre of Excellence is quite clear and the so called audited booked were rigged. That is public fact. Concacaf then took no action.
The local bribe in which US$1M was brought in illegally is also quite clear. There are witness statements to that effect and again no action was taken. The man was promoted to National Security Minister after that.
Savitri Maharaj i’m well aware Tim kee is PNM treasurer. First i would like them to rid themselves of him in any portfolio and second i wish they would investigate what part and how much he played in covering up for Jack Warner. After all he was his right hand man and you don’t want someone with that baggage in a senior position in your government. Wishful thinking maybe but i hope they tell him to haul ass asap for our Football’s sake.
They give him too much credit. You see he knew who he wanted around him because he knew their weaknesses… subtly blackmailing them by making them accomplices because of their greed
Time will prove you right or wrong my brother!!! Lets see if the great FBI successfully gets to him and then see the TTFA case stood a chance in hell!!
The FBI and Chuck Blazer have absolutely nothing to do with the TTFA’s case either.
People act as if Jack Warner is some sort of warlord. He is just a man. The reason he succeeded for years is not because he is super smart or has magical powers.
It is because he made it worth everyone’s while to be his accomplice rather than his enemy.
It will be a desperate fight from Warner. But the case is an easy one based on legal opinions from many in the field.
I’m not superstitious. I don’t assume things are different just because it is Warner.
Lasana Liburd if it was so simple the FBI would have gotten to jack long before without having to sent chuck blazer uncover and stuff so it is the other way around anybody with common sense could see even with all that you have said that this fight is no easy one!!
This is a never ending saga…… lack of trust and political grandstanding
There is a big difference Chandani Boodoo. The players’ case was against the bankrupt TTFA and not Warner.
There is no similarity between the players’ case and a TTFA case. I was in the court room when the judge promised to fast track the TTFA case against Warner.
So this isn’t me talking off the top of my head either.
They are just trying to fool people to make them think otherwise.
Auditing what went in and what went out of the TTFF coffers is not going to paint a full picture. There are people in the now TTFA who were in senior positions on the then TTFF Executive and who would have sat at MANY meetings during the period. These people would have known to what the then TTFF were entitled from FIFA CONCACAF, and CFU as qualifiers for various tournaments. From reports in the media and Commissions of enquiries, many of these funds did not go to the accounts now being audited.
Did they not have a duty and responsibility to ask questions and demand answers at those meetings? These people failed in their duty to protect the country from people seeking to enrich themselves from funds that should have gone to the development of football.
They should all do the honorable thing and get out of football administration.
But do not hold your breath.
Yes they need a paper trail. Say so not good enough. Ask the FBI
What award? You are assuming that there would be s recovery. The players spent a tidy sum and they got nothing even after the courts said Warner had to pay. Think again
Then we dogs real dead Lasana
There is allegedly such an obvious case of fraud Chandani Boodoo that it would not be difficult to find lawyers willing to take the case on for a cut of the award. I disagree that the government has to fund the case.
And no – they don’t need audited accounts to prove the misappropriation either. The FIFA correspondence directing the funds to his personal accounts is more than enough to prove the case.
Actually Chandani is spot-on. Lawyers don’t litigate embezzlement claims on a contingency basis, which is what you’re proposing. If you insist that it wouldn’t be hard to find one willing to take the case and put up all costs himself/herself up front, in hopes of recovering in the end… then by all means, forward the name to the TTFA. As for the audits, if you think emails are sufficient and audits aren’t necessary, then I have a nice bridge in north western Brooklyn to sell you. All of this overlooking that an alleged crime was comitted, including the theft of public funds… which means, guess what, the government (through the DPP’s office) is best positioned to investigate and prosecute the matter.