Disrespect, possible illegitimacy and two controversial TTFA votes: the Futsal scandal

The Trinidad and Tobago National Futsal Team are in their last lap of preparations for the CONCACAF Futsal Championship play off qualifier against Honduras, which is scheduled for 4 and 6 May 2016 in Costa Rica.

Photo: Kareem Perry (centre) and his teammates juggle the ball during Trinidad and Tobago National Futsal Team practice in March 2016. (Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/CA-images/Wired868)
Photo: Kareem Perry (centre) and his teammates juggle the ball during Trinidad and Tobago National Futsal Team practice in March 2016.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/CA-images/Wired868)

However, while the Futsal team get ready on the field, the backdrop continues to be a muddled and mystifying fencing match between those charged with managing the local set-up.

National Futsal team coach Clayton Morris described the situation as extremely disappointing, as communication remains strained—at best—between the team’s management and the Futsal Association of Trinidad and Tobago (FATT).

The FATT’s self-declared president, Geoffrey Edwards, insisted that the local sporting body supports the efforts of the indoor team but have been kept at bay by Morris and team manager Ronald Brereton.

“The members of FATT, Kyle Lequay (Beach Soccer Association of Trinidad and Tobago President), Azaad Khan (General Secretary of TTFA) and myself, have worked assiduously to ensure that the (National) team participated in the CFU qualifiers in January 2016,” Edwards told Wired868. “At no point in time can anyone say that the FATT did not make any attempts to ensure that Trinidad and Tobago participated at the CFU tournament…

“Presently, the coach and manager have decided, in their own right to keep the necessary training details from the association (FATT). We have made numerous calls and sent numerous emails that have all gone unanswered.

Photo: Futsal Association president Geoffrey Edwards (far right) poses with the National Futsal Team on 16 January 2016, before their departure for the Caribbean Championship. (Courtesy Geoffrey Edwards)
Photo: Futsal Association president Geoffrey Edwards (far right) poses with the National Futsal Team on 16 January 2016, before their departure for the Caribbean Championship.
(Courtesy Geoffrey Edwards)

“Yes, we can contact the players but we don’t think it’s the correct protocol.”

Morris, a former Trinidad and Tobago international outdoor captain and coach, confirmed that the national team management has withheld information from the governing body. But he countered that Edwards was yet to prove the legitimacy of his presidential title and those of his executive members.

The Futsal Association was accepted as an official member of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) at an ordinary congress in February 2014.

Morris stated that prior to that congress, then TTFA president Raymond Tim Kee appointed a Futsal Steering Committee to oversee and construct the internal framework for FATT to operate as a fully fledged association.

Tim Kee, according to Morris, appointed Edwards and Morris as chairman and vice chairman respectively of the Futsal Steering Committee.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago National Futsal Team Clayton Morris (left) has a laugh with Wired868 reporter Amiel Mohammed (centre) during an interview at the Maloney Indoor Sport Arena. (Courtesy: Chevaughn Christopher/CA-images/Wired868)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago National Futsal Team Clayton Morris (left) has a laugh with Wired868 reporter Amiel Mohammed (centre) during an interview at the Maloney Indoor Sport Arena.
(Courtesy: Chevaughn Christopher/CA-images/Wired868)

However, upon the TTFA’s acceptance of the Futsal Association under its umbrella in February 2014, Edwards claimed to have a received a document which addressed him as the FATT president.


“In February 2014, I received a letter addressed to me as president and that was signed by (then TTFA general secretary) Mr Sheldon Phillips,” Edwards told Wired868. “(…) I was then the only appointed member of the FATT. Because we were going through the transition from a Steering Committee to an association, that transition never was completed.

“The Steering Committee was dissolved and we are now at a point where we have to complete the constitution so that we can elect members like any new body. We have to complete the constitution first before we can elect members.”

Morris denied Edwards’ assertion and said he still considers the Steering Committee to be active but dormant. He also claimed that Edwards submitted a document to the TTFA which listed himself as president and named a board that included Nigel Roberts.

Roberts also identified himself as a FATT board member in a recent interview but subsequently corrected himself. Edwards said Roberts misspoke.

Photo: Futsal Association president Geoffrey Edwards. (Courtesy Geoffrey Edwards)
Photo: Futsal Association president Geoffrey Edwards.
(Courtesy Geoffrey Edwards)

“I’m glad Mr Roberts quickly retracted the statement,” said Edwards. “As part of the draft constitution that was submitted to the TTFA, we identified individuals that we would like to be appointed to the Board of FATT and operate until the constitution is approved and we have elections.

“However, following on from the CONCACAF and TTFA constitutional reforms, we were guided (by the TTFA) that those persons could not be appointed.

“Only the President, (who is) myself, could operate as the appointed official and so we have been working on the constitution and the legal framework assiduously so as to elect members and a Board. We will have that in place before we officially roll out the FATT in the fourth quarter of 2016.”

Edwards declined to provide a copy of the TTFA document which recognised him as the FATT president and insisted that Wired868 should source the letter from the governing local football body instead.

However, nobody from the current or past TTFA executive seemed anxious to get involved.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago National Futsal Team player Ricardo Bennett (right) hits past goalkeeper Keston Guy during training at the Maloney Indoor Sport Arena. (Courtesy: Chevaughn Christopher/CA-images/Wired868)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago National Futsal Team player Ricardo Bennett (right) hits past goalkeeper Keston Guy during training at the Maloney Indoor Sport Arena.
(Courtesy: Chevaughn Christopher/CA-images/Wired868)

Present TTFA general secretary Azaad Khan could not be reached for clarification while vice president Ewing Davis refused to comment.

Former general secretary, Phillips, said he would not make any public statement regarding a TTFA-related matter.

Despite uncertainty as to whether FATT could have a president or executive in place without a constitution or election, Edwards and Roberts voted—on Futsal’s behalf—at the TTFA general elections on 29 November 2015, which saw incumbent David John-Williams replace Tim Kee.

“I submitted two names (to the Electoral Committee), which were myself and Mr Nigel Roberts,” said Edwards. “Mr Roberts is the MA instructor for referees for Futsal in Trinidad and Tobago. In that regard, for transparency purposes, I submitted his name and it was accepted for him to be one of the two delegates.

“It was not rejected so we went ahead with the process of voting.”

Edwards declined to say which candidate the FATT supported.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president David John-Williams and new FIFA president Gianni Infantino at the TTFA headquarters on 27 January 2016. (Courtesy TTFA Media)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president David John-Williams and new FIFA president Gianni Infantino at the TTFA headquarters on 27 January 2016.
(Courtesy TTFA Media)

The impasse, which has been left largely unchecked by John-Williams, has affected the mood around the National Futsal Team, as they prepare for their CONCACAF play off.

Edwards complimented the work done so far by Morris and his technical staff. But the feeling was not mutual.

Morris gave an example of the perceived shoddy treatment he and his staff receive from the governing body at present.

On 29 March 2016, Morris called the TTFA headquarters to ask if there was an invitation for the National Futsal staff to watch the “Soca Warriors” tackle St Vincent and the Grenadines that evening in Russia 2018 World Cup qualifying action at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain.

A TTFA employee replied in the affirmative and said an envelope was there with tickets and addressed to Morris.

Morris left his home in Chaguanas and travelled to the TTFA office at the Port of Spain venue. But, by the time he got there, the coach claimed that someone had changed the name on the envelope to “Geoffrey Edwards.”

The former “Strike Squad” star left Port of Spain empty handed and embarrassed and returned home.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago National Futsal Team coach Clayton Morris (left) gesticulates during an interview with Wired868 reporter Amiel Mohammed (centre) at the Maloney Indoor Sport Arena. (Courtesy: Chevaughn Christopher/CA-images/Wired868)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago National Futsal Team coach Clayton Morris (left) gesticulates during an interview with Wired868 reporter Amiel Mohammed (centre) at the Maloney Indoor Sport Arena.
(Courtesy: Chevaughn Christopher/CA-images/Wired868)

It is, Morris claimed, symptomatic of the discourtesy meted out to the Futsal staff.

However, there was a welcome boost for the indoor team, which is captained by Defence Force midfielder Jerwyn Balthazar, with the recent announcement that they will get two training matches against Costa Rica in San Jose on April 27 and 29.

The Costa Rica Football Association will split the costs with the TTFA.

The warm-up matches should provide vital preparation for Trinidad and Tobago’s two-legged play off against Honduras. The play off winner will progress to the 2016 CONCACAF Futsal Championship Finals, where eight countries will compete for four qualifying spots at the Colombia 2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup.

Four wins at the CONCACAF Championship will see the “Futsal Warriors” secure an unprecedented World Cup berth.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago Futsal player Kareem Perry (right) flicks the ball while teammate Ricardo Bennett watches on during a national practice session at the Maloney Indoor Sport Arena. (Courtesy: Chevaughn Christopher/CA-images/Wired868)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago Futsal player Kareem Perry (right) flicks the ball while teammate Ricardo Bennett watches on during a national practice session at the Maloney Indoor Sport Arena.
(Courtesy: Chevaughn Christopher/CA-images/Wired868)

Thus far, Futsal’s issues off the field have not been as straightforward.

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About Amiel Mohammed

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81 comments

  1. You were a staunch supporter of Raymond Tim Kee too Gordon. Well Tim Kee was the TTFA VP with specific responsibility for finance during that period of corruption.
    So how do you justify your own support?
    You are trying to bully posters and stop a conversation about football.
    Do you see anyone trying to attack you and talk about your own background and expertise when you comment?
    No. We respond in a mature way generally and try to debate your points. Please reciprocate that.

  2. Pierre. Tell your massa DJW he has nothing to fear from me. I doh want no post I withdrew from the Super League delegation to the AGM. I fed up of football going round and round. He safe

  3. Lasana Liburd from day one we knew Coach Hart was uncomfortable how come some people here on wired aint even know Keith Look Loy held such positions of power he was also the technical director of Joe Public jack Warner personal club connect the dots!!

  4. Yuh cyah play mas and faid powder Gordon Pierre. We waiting.

  5. ..TTFA owes me nothing. I worked there. Go ahead talk shit. Go ahead.

  6. hahahahah Doh say nutten nah, because the next you will be getting a protocol letter eh, and a Lawsuit the same that the corrupted TTFA got from the fella that they owe some millions eh Gordon Pierre

  7. Go ahead Piere. SAY that I helped ANYBODY in the TTFA to steal 200 million dollars and refused to pay the world cup players. Say it..

  8. ..You know I refused to pay the world cup players? Say it

  9. ..You know that I helped to steal 200 million? Say it..

  10. Well yuh have a point dey eh Keith Look Loy even if it was done very corruptedly under the Warner TTFF and to this date 200 million just disappeared just so, just so steeuuppss….Them really good yes.

  11. ..Lasana you good yes. Wasting tine on a hack..

  12. I’ve noticed that you don’t contribute very often here Gordon. Except to attack posters or defend the TTFA.
    And I notice you particularly target certain posters. I don’t know if it is because you consider them influential.
    If you don’t have a sensible response to a poster, please don’t make any at all.
    Unless you’re going to return and show how Keith Look Loy was responsible for any of the financial skullduggery you mentioned.

  13. ..The fact remains that football is going nowhere. At least we see some World Cups under the Warner TTFF..

  14. Now Gordon Pierre, tell me if the TTFA technical director or head of coaching education collects and disburses money on behalf of the TTFA.
    Tell me Gordon if the TTFA technical director has any responsibility regarding collecting money for the World Cup 2006 campaign, creating financial contracts for the 2006 campaign or executing them.
    And point me to any football body in the world where the TTFA technical director has those responsibilities.

  15. Buh wah trouble is this eh I didn’t call your name either eh, but ah thought that you left eh, yuh come back so quickly eh Prof Keith Look Loy hahahaha

  16. Not everyone Earl Mango Pierre. Hart has kept his dignity throughout this whole sordid affair. Class is class.

  17. ..I have nothing to defend. Soca Warriors lawyer eh call my name. FIFA and CONCACAF eh call my name. FBI eh call my name. So feel free to talk shit and make yuh insinuations Pierres…

  18. I have an interview he did in 2011 with soca warriors website where he boasts of his post and wonderful work Debbie Espinal let Keith Look Loy know what is the TTFA legacy because he talks about present and future and if u fair minded let him know that if he held many high ranking position in that administration he culpable too!! Mom always say the encourager worse than the thief!!

  19. I always use to wonder eh when folks is part of a corrupted organization eh they never have nutten to say to expose them eh, but as soon as they are no longer part of the corrupted organization eh they always have plenty things to say eh and always singing like a canary eh. Them really good yes. hahahahaa

  20. Buh AA so Prof Keith Look Loy it seems was meh corrupted uncle Jack Warner right hand man eh, and now since he is no longer part of the corrupted TTFA eh, he bussing plenty files eh. Them really good yes.

  21. Lasana Liburd d defender of the Apache appears!! Head of the technical committee at a point head of coach education numerous post in CONCACAF and FIFA all on the recommendation of Jack Warner so connect the dots the last sports investigative reporter!!

  22. Leh meh find and post some pictures with meh corrupted uncle Jack Warner honoring them eh Gordon Pierre to back you up eh. Them really good yes. hahahaha

  23. Stephen Hart was a part of a regime with an illegitimate president who has made extremely questionable use of TTFA funds. What does that make Hart, Gordon Pierre? A crook? A dictator? The facilitator of a dictator?
    There is believed to have been widespread corruption at Sport Company under Anil Roberts. Does that mean everyone working there was complicit?

  24. Debbie Espinal i ain’t fraid no powder!! Hahaha them alone must say things and cast aspersions after they was in the bussom of a very corrupt TTFA that have football in the state it in today and SAY and DID nothing but take post to FIFA and CONCACAF

  25. What was his very senior position in that TTFA, Gordon Pierre?

  26. Oh gosh where yuh going already eh Prof Keith Look Loy, it seems like yuh cannot handle the “Truth” eh, and Good morning Brian Harry you was supposed to get back and explain about the pecong, satire, pounding, and for sure the bacchanal that is so embedded in our society eh, that can be hurtful to others eh.

  27. Keith Look Loy for all ur qualifications and expertise u can’t read and understand? U WAS A PART OF THE TTFA THAT STOLE 200 MILLION DOLLARS AND REFUSED TO PAY THE WORLD CUP PLAYERS AND U HELD A VERY SENIOR POSITION THERE!! However u interpret that is u!!

  28. Well this Ruby Tuesday unveiling is taking so long to be done eh, with the new Coach of the Soca Worries eh and everybody is in suspense waiting, waiting, I am positively certain that some folks not sleeping at all, even the bookies waiting very patiently to eh because plenty monies betting so in the mean time let’s keep wired lively with some bacchanal nah hahahahaha

  29. ..Uh huh. Feel free to continue talking shit..

  30. AHEM!!!! not me nah Prof Keith Look Loy I don’t exposed nobody until I have meh solid proof eh so try you best. hahahaha

  31. Things heating up here boi. Wai lai!!

  32. Oh Gosh meh nephew Gordon Pierre doh hit him so hard nah he, Alvin Corneal and many others just wanted to eat ah food eh . Them really good yes.

  33. Yes Keith Look Loy worse than the TTFA that u was part of that stole over 200 million dollars and refused to pay the world cup players and u a bastion on righteous said nothing but accepted posts to FIFA and CONCACAF!! What a glorious past the TTFA has!!

  34. ..We are seeing a new TTFA that is worse than ever before. AND its members are no better. No future for football..

  35. Thanks Las…I. Must have missed this one amidst other drama going on around thus time.

  36. Well, whenever and however they moved from steering committee to association… Nobody is keen to provide any evidence that things are in order.

  37. So how can they be functioning between Steering Committe & an Association ? Then it’s easy for the current slate to cut them to slops. I don’t understand this.

  38. Like nobody does wanna talk to Wired868. How you always getting blank so Lasana ? Lol

  39. How in God’s name can something be active but dormant?

  40. So why is it that these people cannot get their acts together with regards to our football eh, oh gosh man, they are so imbedded in the corruption and lawlessness eh, look Savitri Maharaj and David Gintoki Aguillera more bacchanal again eh and thank the Lord that I knelt down and prayed to meh father God to raise up Mr Live Wire long time ago eh to exposed all of them eh, and if it wasn’t for him eh, we wudda be always in the dark as to the madness that is taking place with our football in our sweet country. Them really good yes.

    • lmaoooooo!! Uncle Earl Mango Pierre anything to do with sports in this country must be born from the pits of Corruption!! its in its blood and Trini Administrations are its wielders of the Corruption force………… that aside.. i typical to see such things like these..when you have Sports TT and NGO’s in this Country giving money freely to these so call Sporting Organisations that barely ever make it pass Amateurism in there Operations and carrying out!! you will have people fighting and trying to get in them pot holes!! so sip the money pot and be happy………….this is just typical and never will change!! sadly!! we care more bout status instead of Development in this country!!! ………..it will never change.

    • I couldn’t believe what I was reading about the futsal team is a separate organization eh, with their own President eh, and I thought that this should fall also under the TTFA eh, Them really good yes.

    • Come on Uncle Earl, you have a global organisation like futsal fifa version.. giving money for development, yet you never see development… but you always see people!! Gloriously wanna volunteer there services bawling its free and this and that, yet never say how much money they pocket from the Head organisation that send them for development of the sport…….its all in d money my friend d moooooooooooneyyy lol

    • And alyuh wanted me to get involved in all that madness eh, about I shudda apply for the coaching job eh,and to fix the football in our sweet country eh, not me eh, I am sticking close to meh friend Mr. Live Wire and continue meh pounding, meh pecong and also exposing them with their set ah madness eh.and also I don’t want Mr. Live Wire to write nutten about me eh. Them really good yes. hahahaha

    • Na na i still want you to get involved!!! ah no you go straighten out!! and Savitri Maharaj go be yuh Assisstant lol

    • hahahaha as I said meh nah getting involve with dem set ah corrupted people in our sweet country eh, and I am not involving my family Savitri Maharaj, we sticking to Wired868 eh, and including yourself eh, We will be their opposition until they all start doing the right things eh. Them really good yes.

    • Lol is right David Gintoki Aguillera! Too much mad people outside here…I stop giving away my services now yes cause it seems as if we real stupid and everybody else smart. I wanna hear what went on in the election and I hope Lasana Liburd could give us the scoop soon.

    • Earl Mango Pierre, I say already I eh getting involved in that nonsense at all nah! I looking for some good news now…something to laugh at cause we living in a menatl asylum

    • hahahahahaha yuh no if allyuh gettin piece ah the money pie , you all go change allyuh tune..lol !!!! hahahaha

    • No brother ah believe in eating little and live long eh, hahahaha

  41. Huh? You have no constitution but somebody thinks they are president of something? ??? In accordance with what legal framework?
    And the Futsal staff got tickets for the Warriors match but the women of the national senior team didn’t?! Don’t get me started… Lol.

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