The Central FC board, which is headed by ex-Sport Minister Brent Sancho and includes his former advisor Kevin Harrison, responded to the furore over the sacking of its former captain Marvin Oliver with a 983-word press release, published on the Soca Warriors Online website, that both confirmed and denied releasing the player.
In an extraordinary personal attack, Central also described Oliver as ungrateful and claimed that the club helped build his house and keep him out of jail.
The Sancho-led board also suggested, in the statement, that Oliver was convinced to make his “militant stance” by a journalist. The press statement was emailed by Harrison and provided contact details for him and Sancho, in case of follow-up questions.
The 41 year old midfield star and former San Juan North student, who was recently selected among the best Secondary School Football League (SSFL) players for the past 50 years, contacted Wired868 soon after Central manager Kevin Jeffrey told him his contract was terminated.
The club’s account of where the friction started with Oliver is consistent with the player’s recollection. The dreadlocked playmaker, who was one of Central’s outstanding players last season, asked his coach, Dale Saunders, if he was expected to be used regularly in the near future.
And, if not, whether the club was willing to let him leave on loan.
Central confirmed this conversation, although they did not mention whether Oliver had suggested a loan move.
Central then prepared a termination letter for Oliver, which was handed to him by Jeffrey on behalf of Saunders.
“Following on from this conversation, having no wish to prevent the player from continuing his career elsewhere, a letter was prepared by the club agreeing to release Mr Oliver from his contract,” stated the Central release today. “This letter was delivered to Mr Oliver at the training ground on Tuesday 26 January by Kevin Jeffrey, Dale Saunders and Derek Khan.”
The initial letter, which was published by Wired868, informed that the club would: “arrange for your release, effective today.”
Oliver was also told not to join the team on the training ground and to leave the premises.
Bizarrely—despite handing Oliver a letter which said his contract was terminated—Sancho, Harrison and the remaining Central board members claimed that Oliver was not fired.
“At no point was Marvin Oliver’s employment terminated by the club,” stated Central’s press release. “Indeed, no official release from his contract has been prepared. Until an official release from contract letter was prepared and signed by both parties, Mr Oliver’s employment was intact…
“This letter was merely correspondence confirming a verbal discussion.”
Central suggested Oliver was trying to win a battle of wills, so as to get more playing time, and the club called his bluff.
“At no time had there been any discussion to terminate Marvin Oliver’s contract,” stated the Central release. “He was a squad player and would certainly be called upon from time to time.
“It would appear that Mr Oliver didn’t expect the club to accept his request to leave the club, and panicked, knowing that no other club would pay the same level of salary as he received at Central FC.”
By Central’s own admission then, Oliver did not want to leave the club but only hoped to get more playing time. And it was the “Couva Sharks” who escalated the situation when they gave him a release letter and asked the player to leave the premises.
Oliver said, when he received the letter, he promptly told Jeffrey he did not wish to be released. He claimed Jeffrey then went over to Sancho, Saunders, assistant coach Dale Saunders and another team manager, Derek Khan, and held a brief meeting.
Khan then walked over and said the club stood by their release letter.
The club denied that this meeting took place. But, in today’s release, the Sharks admitted that they did not get the response they expected from Oliver.
Instead of grovelling for his job, Oliver contacted Wired868, lodged a complaint with the Pro League, wrote to Sancho and asked to be paid up for the remainder of his contract and sought legal advice.
Sancho and Harrison suggested that Oliver’s response was not in keeping with “recognised grievance procedure.”
“One of the reasons for such a letter is that it would give the recipient an opportunity to reconsider his actions before the formal letter of termination is issued,” stated the Central board. “Instead of following the recognised grievance procedure, or even, common employment practice, and requesting a meeting with the board, Mr Oliver decided instead to contact a journalist and air his grievances publicly.”
Central further blamed the entire incident on the journalist that Oliver discussed the matter with, who is Wired868 editor Lasana Liburd.
“It appears that outside influences, perhaps with their own agendas, have convinced Mr Oliver to take a more militant route in the public domain,” stated Central. “Airing such grievances in public can benefit no party other than the journalist.
“Yet it is the player and the club, and, ultimately, the game of football, whose reputations are tarnished in the name of writing one or two headlines.”
The Central board claimed that they could have justifiably fired Oliver for talking to the media—notwithstanding the fact that they had already sacked him.
Sancho offered to meet the sacked player and possibly fine him instead.
“Central FC would have been within their rights to terminate Mr Oliver’s contract on the basis of gross misconduct by bringing the club into disrepute,” stated Central. “However, the board of Central FC decided instead to invite Mr Oliver to a meeting at the club office to resolve the situation. Mr Oliver was and still is, an employee of Central FC and is contracted until 31 May 2016.
“As such, it is the responsibility of Mr Oliver to attend meetings when requested. However, Mr Oliver declined to attend the meeting and instead suggested to meet four days later in Port of Spain…
“One final attempt was made by the board to resolve the matter by requesting Mr Oliver’s attendance at a meeting on Friday 29 January 2016 at the club office…
“The letter also reminded Mr Oliver that it is his contractual duty to attend the meeting and a fine would be administered should he fail to attend, which is standard practice.
“Once again, instead of responding in a professional and respectful manner, Mr Oliver decided to send this letter to a journalist for publication, together with further derogatory remarks.”
The Central board claimed that it chose the high moral ground in its response to Oliver’s “derogatory remarks”—the player told Wired868 that Sancho was worse than ex-FIFA vice-president Jack Warner—out of respect for his “exemplary service” to the club.
Central then claimed to have given Oliver building material for his house and prevented his potential arrest in a legal matter.
“The club has also supported him in two separate legal matters which were in the public domain, when the club could simply have terminated his contract,” stated the Central release. “Several other incidents during his time with Central FC could have resulted in termination. In one incident, the club lost a potential sponsor valued at around $200,000 per year.
“Our club sponsor, Bankers Insurance also helped Mr Oliver financially, preventing his arrest.
“Central FC and its sponsors have also assisted Mr Oliver with the building of his house by contributing finances and building materials.”
Incidentally, even as Sancho and Harrison claim that Oliver has harmed the image of the Pro League club, the two Central directors are under investigation by the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) regarding their: conduct with regards to the transfers of Central FC forward Rundell Winchester, the signing of then 16-year-old winger Levi Garcia, and the alleged misappropriation of CONCACAF funds and non-payment of bonuses to Central players.
The probe has paused under new TTFA president David John Williams, who is yet to restart the relevant disciplinary bodies.
The Central board, whose directors Sancho and Harrison were both members of the now defunct Football Players Association of Trinidad and Tobago (FPATT), claimed that the Oliver brouhaha is a good example as to why the country needs a players association.
“It is these situations which clearly show the need for a players association,” stated the Central board. “Had Mr Oliver had access to professional advice, the situation may well have been resolved to the satisfaction of both parties.”
The need for a players association might be one thing Sancho, Harrison and Oliver could all agree on.
Oliver has denied all of the club’s allegations.
(Central FC release on Marvin Oliver furore)
It is not usual for the board of Central FC to air personal issues in public, a fact that Mr Oliver himself can testify to. Yet due to the reckless and inaccurate reporting of this episode, the club feels it has no choice other than to defend its reputation as well as that of its players, staff and sponsors.
On Sunday 24 January, following a game versus W Connection in which he took no part, Marvin Oliver spoke to Team Manager Kevin Jeffrey and Head Coach Dale Saunders. Mr Oliver was disappointed in the number of appearances he had been making.
He made it clear that if he was not going to be starting more games he would prefer to leave the club. This is a usual occurrence in football, particularly when a player begins to mature.
Following on from this conversation, having no wish to prevent the player from continuing his career elsewhere, a letter was prepared by the club agreeing to release Mr Oliver from his contract.
This letter was delivered to Mr Oliver at the training ground on Tuesday 26th January by Kevin Jeffrey, Dale Saunders and Derek Khan.
Contrary to certain press statements, no impromptu meeting between Managing Director Brent Sancho, Dale Saunders and Stern John took place on the training field regarding Marvin Oliver.
At no point was Marvin Oliver’s employment terminated by the club. Indeed, no official release from his contract has been prepared.
Until an official release from contract letter was prepared and signed by both parties, Mr Oliver’s employment was intact. Indeed, it is standard practice that when a player leaves the club he is required to return all apparel before receiving his final salary.
No such letter had been prepared or presented.
This letter was merely correspondence confirming a verbal discussion. One of the reasons for such a letter is that it would give the recipient an opportunity to reconsider his actions before the formal letter of termination is issued.
Instead of following the recognised grievance procedure, or even, common employment practice, and requesting a meeting with the board, Mr Oliver decided instead to contact a journalist and air his grievances publicly.
This resulted in several untruths and misconceptions being expressed, exaggerated, and now repeated as if fact.
At this point, Central FC would have been within their rights to terminate Mr Oliver’s contract on the basis of gross misconduct by bringing the club into disrepute.
However, the board of Central FC decided instead to invite Mr Oliver to a meeting at the club office to resolve the situation.
Mr Oliver was and still is, an employee of Central FC and is contracted until 31 May 2016.
As such, it is the responsibility of Mr Oliver to attend meetings when requested. However, Mr Oliver declined to attend the meeting and instead suggested to meet four days later in Port of Spain.
Again, this refusal to attend an official meeting is a contradiction of the terms of Mr Oliver’s contract.
One final attempt was made by the board to resolve the matter by requesting Mr Oliver’s attendance at a meeting on Friday 29 January 2016 at the club office. The invitation was sent in writing.
The letter also reminded Mr Oliver that it is his contractual duty to attend the meeting and a fine would be administered should he fail to attend, which is standard practice.
Once again, instead of responding in a professional and respectful manner, Mr Oliver decided to send this letter to a journalist for publication, together with further derogatory remarks.
Mr Oliver has provided exemplary service to Central FC on the field. Out of respect for Mr Oliver and the service he has provided, Central FC has frequently been financially supportive of his community projects.
Indeed, no other Central FC player has received as much support and respect as Mr Oliver, a fact that he seems to have forgotten.
The club has also supported him in two separate legal matters which were in the public domain, when the club could simply have terminated his contract.
Several other incidents during his time with Central FC could have resulted in termination.
In one incident the club lost a potential sponsor valued at around TT$200,000 per year. Our club sponsor, Bankers Insurance also helped Mr Oliver financially, preventing his arrest.
Central FC and its sponsors have also assisted Mr Oliver with the building of his house by contributing finances and building materials.
The reality of the situation is that Mr Oliver tried to force the club to select him more often. Unfortunately, despite his ability, the club’s coaches felt that he would not be suited to the new tactics employed by the club in most games.
No club wants to force a player to stay when he wants to leave.
However, at no time had there been any discussion to terminate Marvin Oliver’s contract. He was a squad player and would certainly be called upon from time to time.
It would appear that Mr Oliver didn’t expect the club to accept his request to leave the club, and panicked, knowing that no other club would pay the same level of salary as he received at Central FC.
It is these situations which clearly show the need for a players association. Had Mr. Oliver had access to professional advice, the situation may well have been resolved to the satisfaction of both parties.
Instead it appears that outside influences, perhaps with their own agendas, have convinced Mr Oliver to take a more militant route in the public domain.
Airing such grievances in public can benefit no party other than the journalist. Yet it is the player and the club, and, ultimately, the game of football, whose reputations are tarnished in the name of writing one or two headlines.
As we have seen so many times, the real loser in this dispute will be the beautiful game.
Editor’s Note: Click HERE to read ex-Football Players Association of Trinidad and Tobago (FPATT) president Shaka Hislop’s response in support of Marvin Oliver.
Brent denied telling lies but admitted to not telling the truth. He is a piece of shit
Mr Own Goal is firing into his own goal as usual .
Brent Sancho and Harrison deny lying but admit to not telling the truth.
You spot on girl…bang on target. It’s the most amount of BS I’ve ever read or heard off.
the man real petty always bringing up trivial shit that either is exaggerated or just plain lies
Richard let’s keep this real shall we? There is no one to blame when a man chooses to show his true colours this is not a political thing this is a moral thing. The man’s true self has come to the fore so don’t blame some other source ….. the source is the man himself …no one changed him ….he revealed himself!!
Damn damn and damn….. What crap….
OK.. we HAVE to blame the UNC. It’s either they bring these qualities out of people or they make people become like them. When Brent Sancho was fighting for the Soca Warriors there was NO WAY he he would have been arguing against a player facing this issue. As soon as the UNC touch him, the tables turn. He’s like red beans yuh put to soak. (Ah teacher tell meh dat once when i was getting buff.) So I blame the UNC! What else could have Sancho behaving so?
uh. uhm. dais who the — is?
Sancho and Harrison are con men. You know you are a piece of shit when Jack Warner has correctly characterized you.
like I have been saying for 2 yrs now sanko is a fraud a liar a cheat and a very petty man with a small brain and small b..lls
Don’t say b..alls Dion, people might question how u know dat :v =D
what I mean is he has no spine he is weak and petty and very small minded
Haha Kirwin Weston like u small minded
Just harassing Dion Colin
Ye haha I know – all good
Savitri, I half expected to hear that Central press release was signed by Monica Swan. Similar bizarre personal attacks. 🙂
Lol! Yes I remember her…this sounds like the We are vindicated S34 story. This is all too much confusion in a wicked world
I’m far away from the this mess now – but everyday I ask myself and seek awith no clear answer to the burning question of WTF is wrong administration in Caribbean
The amount of ridiculous statement and disgusting actions they perpetuate so often towards athletes every week and month is unprecedented in the developed world smfdh
Hear nah eh … them real good yes :/
They defame the man in the statement, and are wrong and strong
Sancho is the ultimate nasty man
SMH
Classy !
A question as to plans for the future with the coach resulted is a letter of termination . No discussion with the player but a formal letter issued but no date on the letter as to effective date hmm. Marvin is well within his right to take the letter as immediate dismissal. Thanks to the people of Grandeur for sparing the nation this imps…
Too much to digest. Problems with both parties, it appears, and where there is concealed truth and distrust, there is sure to be rust. But we shall let the process ensue and beckon the “judges” to chip and flake away at the corroded layers and may the remain show just what is left – a weakened and eroded once, solid and uniform alloy.
This is why football goes nowhere footballers wanna be administrators and don’t even have a clue how to start doing that Sancho and company weren’t even that good to begin with that’s why I love W Connection with all their flaws the put the Pro in Professional football
Central are convinced their player would have grovelled for his job but for Wired868 yes…
Lasana – what would we do without your Wired868 platform? With no players association our professional players would have no voice. They would have to continue bending over – touching their toes, with no opportunity to say to their bosses – stop – it hurting.
Carlos Lee yuh on fire lol
Lol
Only in this case, Oliver said the only help he ever received was from a sponsor who said it was a gift and he didn’t have to repay. He said he never got a thing from Central.
Sanko is a bigger dissapointment by the minute.
He is s piece of shit
Every member of the Central board needs some good tea yes.
They are obviously very stressed and clearly not thinking straight.
Every member? You mean Brent and Harrison? Are there other members
I was wondering the same Sheldon
There are two members on the central board? Lol.
Is that legal? You can have two directors of a for profit company but idk that you can only have two members on you board. On paper at least.
You have to ask Lasana
I was told that there are four members of the board. Sancho, Harrison, Sancho’s dad and one member of Bank Insurance. But I cannot confirm that. And I don’t think the board meets actively.
But then it doesn’t really have to with that line-up. Sancho has 50 percent of the vote locked.
More like 75% of the vote unless Harrison wants to go back from whence he came.
Hahaha. True.
Our former Minister of Sports has learned a lot from his former nemesis – uncle Jack. I would even say he’s fast becoming mini Jack W. And like JW he’s a poor spin doctor. Lasana I bet if you ask him if he really meant to fire Mr OLIVER he would say “Ask your mother”.
Lol….
Lmao
Bwahahahaaahahaaaa
I fed up of sancho them yes
Lasana Liburd when people allegedly help you then, they have the right to advantage you? Seems like that what they want Marvin to accept. #boldface
So Lasana Brent is no longer your friend I suppose as they implicated you as ‘the journalist’.
Sancho and I haven’t spoken to each other since my first story about him having Central FC money diverted to his bank account while he was Sport Minister.
He should have known you have a social responsibility to report the truth with no agenda. He should also have known that he should be more transparent in his financial dealings given his position. What a tool this guy is turning out to be.
He cannot himself himself nah, he is a prolific lier and he is being exposed to be worst the corrupted Jack Warner. Them really good yes.
At that point, he has to be him and I have to be me. Goat and tiger shouldn’t lime. Lol.
Lasana you know I have dealt with these people before so I have an idea of what is happening. I do what I could to help but I am only I person.
True, but is he someone that has a strong personality so much so that the other guys like Kevin Jeffrey, Stern John and Dale Saunders can’t say this is not the way to handle the matter! Are all of them just yes men.
Brent, as we said before, Central’s only chance of winning this case was to prove they didn’t know Dale Saunders gave Oliver that termination letter.
The idiots just admitted it. Oliver is better off, even though he is hurt at being slandered like this.
Exactly
Central full ah sh#!… to say the letter wasn’t official is pure comedy. You don’t take the time to write a letter and then claim is for kicks… them really not serious
Meh head hutting meh with all dat tata from.Central FC! De amount ah mess dey write then deny dey write is worse than any episode of Dumb and Dumber!
Those guys are autocrats that taking advantage of these guys ignorance….
Why am I not surprised Lasana
Good thing Central FC is grateful for Marvin Oliver’s exemplary service to the club. God knows what they would have said if they were not grateful! Lol!
Just now you will hear how many times Sancho gave him a ride to training and games. And how much beers he buy for him in the club
This turning out like an episode of kalabash alley….. Local comedy
Steupse
For the record, Marvin Oliver has said that Brent Sancho never gave him so much as a nail and his house is still far from finished and he denied that Sancho ever helped him with anything. Ever.
When you say Sancho you mean Central?
Both.
Marvin Oliver has said that Brent Sancho never gave him so much as a nail and his house is still far from finished.
Dem still causing Kix yes
hahahaha ah have some more files to buss on the ex – sports minister eh, let him go ahead and mess with meh loyal prolific goalscorer he will find out where barley grows eh. Them really good yes.
Hahaha. Some fellahs too chupid to commit crime yes!
The first termination letter came from Dale Saunders and Central FC’s only chance of winning this matter was to prove that the club didn’t know Saunders gave Oliver that letter.
The idiots confirmed the letter came from them. Smh.
Wda
Class is a rare thing
His house? In the middle of his street?
I think some people are too dumb to be involved in crime. What you say Vernal?
That never stops them! LOL
Lasana Liburd any idea who is the ‘journalist’ that endorced the ‘militant’ stance?
They’re firing shots at the journalist indicates a level of frustration or desperation
Lasana Liburd why are you stirring up “military stance” trouble?!
sad
What a mess!
They say they terminated his contract but they didn’t fire him. And it actually got worse after that… Lol.
Now man putting man in house ? Wheyyyy !!
Hahaha
Emmm table turn.
Melville hahaha
And he helped build their house. What’s their point?
They admit and deny sacking him……. I feel the translator got his message mixed up……. Lol