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Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder John Bostock will not make his Trinidad and Tobago debut in St Vincent tomorrow, after an administrative error meant he did not get international clearance to represent the “Soca Warriors” in the March 25 Russia 2018 World Cup qualifier.
(Courtesy Nicholas Bhajan/Wired868)
Bostock, who captained England at National Under-17 Team level and now plays professionally in Belgium, had agreed to switch allegiances and already holds a Trinidad and Tobago passport.
However, the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) failed to follow procedure to properly register the player. And, although Bostock would have been eligible to play in an international friendly, he cannot be used in a competitive FIFA match.
National coach Stephen Hart took responsibility for the error, although it was almost certainly a managerial mistake.
“It’s a situation where I misread the FIFA documentation and failed to realise that there was an amendment to the original ruling of players switching their country of choice,” Hart told the TTFA Media, “and because John had already played for England at the international youth level.
“He, as the player, needs to write to FIFA stating that he no longer wishes to play for England and intends to switch to Trinidad and Tobago.”
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/CA-images/Wired868)
The error, according to the TTFA, was spotted by local football president David John Williams.
“Our president was going over the final details to ensure all was in order and made this discovery and he advised me,” said Hart. “It’s unfortunate but we’ve spoken to John (Bostock) and he understands the situation.
“We will now wait for feedback to see when the process is completed by FIFA to have a better idea of when he can make his debut for us in the World Cup qualification competition.”
It is possible that Bostock would be available to play for the return leg in Trinidad on March 29 but it depends on how quickly FIFA moves on the TTFA request.
Trinidad and Tobago face St Vincent and the Grenadines from 3.30 pm tomorrow while the two nations meet again, next Tuesday, from 7 pm at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
Although Bostock is now ineligible, there is every chance that 18 year old Netherlands-based winger, Levi Garcia, will make his international debut tomorrow.
Garcia, who joined the Warriors in camp on Tuesday, said he was excited and honoured to be playing alongside the likes of team captain Kenwyne Jones.
“It’s a very exciting period for me and I’m just focused on working hard and settling in with the rest of the team,” said Garcia. “It’s an honour for me to train and play with Kenwyne and the boys. Coach (Hart) spoke to me and he said he likes what he has been seeing but of course now I have to work hard and play for my pick.
“I’d love to play on Friday and play my part in helping us get the three points.”
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Hart took the blame, but that’s not his business; his biz is to prepare the team on the field. Administratively, we’ve failed again. They need to hire a compliance officer to deal with these matters.
On a serious note where does one get that training kit?
Same result will be sacked
So with Hart taking the blame here he’s just giving DJW justification to sack him further down the road.
Maybe. But with Hart it is further down the road. With another staff member, it might be on the spot.
do you guys expected anything else we are the laughing stock of the caribbean always last minute for games or tournament the eve of the day before they are scheduled they don’t even know if they would be participating
Like nobody aint checking anybody work at the TTFA.
Wow was really looking forward to seeing guy play 🙁
That ‘administrator’ needs to be replaced due to incompetence.
ASAP
Cheyenne, bring Antonio up to speed with what happened to our under-23 team. This is brilliant work compared to that.
And, incidentally, that under-23 manager is part of the senior set up too.
I have a headache thinking about it .
Will not happen, lol
You cannot have three managers. Someone must be in charge and take responsibility.
At least he didn’t play and we had to forfeit the match. That would have been trouble way!
Yes. We real lucky !!!
Just to add. A coach is given a list of potentials or he can enquire. The hard part is that this senior team have 3 managers when travelling for different reasons. Someone lapsed.
That’s why in Trinidad we say…too many people doing nothing ! Like is WASA workers they hire as Managers owa ? Things get overlooked.
Disclaimer: I used WASA workers in the context to which they’re usually referred to. Not that I believe they don’t do anything 🙂
Instead of wasting time to fire Walkes…the TTFA should have been ensuring that the player get his Clearance to play…..WOW!.
..LOLOL..
What else is new eh. Them really good yes.
How did this mistake happen
Steups double steups
Ditto
Poor Johnny
We continue to not being able to organize a drink up in a rum shop.
All I can say is stuepes. Come nah man! Lasana Liburd this is April fools already eh
FIFA: 3. Any Player who has the right to change Associations in accordance with par. 1 and 2 above shall submit a written, substantiated request to the FIFA general secretariat. The Players’ Status Committee shall decide on the request.
The procedure will be in accordance with the Rules Governing the Procedures of the Players’ Status Committee and the Dispute Resolution Chamber. Once the Player has filed his request, he is not eligible to play for any representative team until his request has been processed.
National teams have appointed Managers and their assistants. It is their responsibility to know or find out the process to be followed when the coach wants to bring in such players as Bostock. There should be no excuses accepted for their failure to follow the FIFA requirements. But as usual no one is accountable. The coach taking the blame is wrong. His role is to coach not handle managerial issues. People need to understand their role and responsibilities and carry it out or get out. This is embarrassing.
Thanks Bruce.
Same i was saying, I think Hart took one for the team
Well said Mr Bruce Aanensen dey should take ah page from ur book manage and tings maybe better
Thanks for your kind words Anton.
All sports reporters will tell you Hart never likes to comment on individual performances. Him taking the blame for a managerial issue is just another example of him being a #TeamPlayer ent Lasana Liburd lol
Hmm hope we rectify in time for the return leg, was looking forward to seeing him play in person
Apparently there is no guarantee about that either.
It sometimes takes months.
Getting clearance takes a while, England player Jack Grealish had to wait 6 months for FIFA clearance after playing for Ireland under 17s. Matthew Briggs yet to feature for Guyana after failing to get approval last June aswell, never confirmed if he did get it in the end
Dang. Didn’t realise it could be that long. DJW might have to give his pal Infantino a ring eh. Lol
haha yeah hope he has a direct line. It also affects friendlies. Guyana’s friendly against Grenada was forfeited after taking place due to FIFA finding out Briggs played without having clearance
Both TTFA, GFF, Briggs and Bostock can learn from JFF in this situation – the rules aren’t that complicated.
Since FIFA changed i think in the last two years, striker Giles Barnes who played for England U 19s – followed the process and played for the Reggae boys with no fuss
We don’t have to learn from anyone Colin. We just have to read carefully. It isn’t rocket science.
This is what Team/Operation Managers are in place for, it’s amazing that in 2016 a basic rule is overlooked in the International game
That’s what I mean ha – two countries made the same mistake
Sounding like a former PM scenario 🙂
Yes Brent. I can tell that Hart is trying to quell the situation or shield the person who made the error.
Coaches don’t register players. I commend him for his effort.
I recognized that early. Protecting someone clearly
My language has gotten worse over the week Lasana
WTF
..I would be mad as hell. A trans-Atlantic journey plus days of hot sun training for nutten? We lucky if he not hungry for home..
Hahaha!
Hahaha. Keith, I crossing my fingers and toes that David Muhammad was nowhere near this one!
….LOLOLOLOLOL..OH LAWD LASANA!! LOW!! LOW!!..
???
His hunger will grow Tevin? Lol. You think he is feeling hungrier right now? Or wondering what sort of unprofessional setup is this?
Only Trinis shrug and move on regardless of anythin yuh know.
We order beef, they serve us chicken… And we say: ‘Small ting, I does eat that too!’
Hahaha
You do have a point, we lacked professionalism in this situation, I’m most certain our past special advisor of TTFA would have spotted this issue and solved it! Maybe the fact that Birchall was only only experience like this made us unaware of that ruling! But I’m just looking forward to the positive side of this and when we qualify for the World Cup all of these bumps in the road will be smoothly forgiven and forgotten
Maybe there was an amendment in truth. But someone didn’t read the paperwork properly.
I do know that coaches don’t register players. So Hart is trying to do honourable thing here.
I also so know that incompetence never spurred anyone on to great heights ever! Hahaha.
Hey, mistakes do happen. Even Real Madrid made a clanger recently. So if it is a one off, then I accept that.
I just better not hear it was David Muhammad! Hahaha.
under Jack we never have this problem…. 😉
Good one Lasana you crack me up there
This can be a blessing in disguise, now he will get more time to gel with the team and his hunger to play for us will grow as he view the game from the sidelines…..the other midfielders have more time to prepare and earn their spot as they have seen his quality in practice and now know they can’t “relax” …….we will get our 3 points and move on from there let’s go guys
you had one job TTFA!
I find it ironic that the “coach” says he misread the rules. Where are the administrators?
?? so typical
Oh Crap! Here we go AGAIN!!! I was really looking forward to seeing him play tomorrow…hopefully the TTFA President can ask his BFF to help speed up the process so he’s eligible to play next Tuesday.
Here we go again.
Not the first time. Won’t be the last sadly. Thankfully it isn’t the most difficult game we will face and we should know procedure better for future players.
http://www.stabroeknews.com/2015/sports/06/24/shabazzs-reputation-in-tatters/
The Briggs guy played for England at some point? I didn’t see where it said that in the article. Just kept saying English-born.
Would you need clearance from the English FA if you never played nationally for England? Meaning like if you only went to some sort of FA camp or something but were never in a national squad?
Idk. Asking…
Ye he played ENG U16 to U 21 level – so its similar to Bostock situation.
If you never played for ENG at any level i.e Andre Boucaud, no need for ENG or FIFA clearance before switching.
But FIFA never used to require played who represented a country a youth level to get that FAs clearance if they wanted to switch nationality. All you had to do was prove your heritage
Oh. So how come the article blaming Shabazz while Hart saying the player has to write to FIFA himself?
lol this article used the Briggs scenario as a excuse to go on a Shabazz rant
Ignore the general theme of article ha – was just posting it to refer to the similarities of Briggs situation with GUY and Bostock now. Wasn’t finding the original press release online from GUY federation about it
Lol. Sorry!
I was trying to figure out what the correct procedure is really supposed to be.
Although the TTFA release said that Chabeth, it couldn’t possibly be up to the player to do that. He probably just has to sign or something. Will check
FIFA: 3. Any Player who has the right to change Associations in accordance with par. 1 and 2 above shall submit a written, substantiated request to the FIFA general secretariat. The Players’ Status Committee shall decide on the request.
The procedure will be in accordance with the Rules Governing the Procedures of the Players’ Status Committee and the Dispute Resolution Chamber. Once the Player has filed his request, he is not eligible to play for any representative
team until his request has been processed.
So I guess Bostock letter goes has to pass through TTFA and thence to FIFA.
Ha well unless Mr JW can indeed get a favour from Infantino for supporting his FIFA presidency bid, we will be lucky to see Bostock in TT colours this year
Bostock travelled with the team to St. Vincent? This was an absolute final hour discovery?
Wonder how much it cost to get him here etc etc…
Have you guys been keeping a numerical list of blunders by this TTFA administration? Are you all on to page two as yet? ???
I’m afraid to count Chabeth Haynes
Can he be replaced ? Lasana cuz that means a man losing out
We have a deep squad. We will miss quality but there are four other holding midfielders in the squad. It just means less options.
Essentially, Boucaud, Hyland and Molino are nailed on to be the midfield triangle now. Hughtun Hector (still regaining full fitness) and Neveal Hackshaw as back ups. That is what I expect.