DJW allegedly used TTFA funds for CFU bid; accused of selling out Caribbean

Just six months into his tenure as Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president, David John-Williams has already turned his gaze towards higher office.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president David John-Williams (right) presents a Wired868 token of appreciation to "Soca Warriors" supporter Peter Cumberbatch during the 4th Annual Wired868 Football Festival at UWI SPEC Grounds, St Augustine on Saturday 2 January 2016. (Courtesy Allan V Crane/CA-images/Wired868)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president David John-Williams (right) presents a Wired868 token of appreciation to “Soca Warriors” supporter Peter Cumberbatch during the 4th Annual Wired868 Football Festival at UWI SPEC Grounds, St Augustine on Saturday 2 January 2016.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/CA-images/Wired868)

The W Connection football club owner will run for the post of Caribbean Football Union (CFU) president on 23 July 2016. The election will be held in the CFU Congress in Miami, Florida.

The other two candidates are incumbent president and Antigua and Barbuda FA general secretary Gordon Derrick and United States Virgin Islands (USVI) president Hillaren Frederick, who is best known for wrecking ex-Trinidad and Tobago football captain David Nakhid’s unlikely FIFA presidential bid by nominating two persons for the 2016 FIFA Congress.

John-Williams’ own term as TTFA president arguably begun with an illegitimate election on 29 November 2015, as at least a third of the delegates appeared to be ineligible to vote according to the TTFA constitution.

And his bid for the CFU throne also appears to be mired in controversy from the start, as John-Williams stands accused of misuse of TTFA funds, a lack of transparency and being a willing co-conspirator to the political weakening of the region.

And, once more, the TTFA boss appears to have the support of FIFA—as well as UEFA and CONCACAF—in his grand designs.

Photo: New CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani.
Photo: New CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani.

On 3 June 2016, John-Williams invited all 31 Caribbean member associations to what he described as “a watershed moment in the evolution of Caribbean football” at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel in Port of Spain.

Ostensibly, the two-day workshop was supposed to chart the way forward for the Caribbean Professional Football League (CPFL). Caribbean delegates were assured that an economy return flight, accommodation, ground transportation and meals would all be taken care of by their host.

A follow-up meeting is carded for two days after the CFU Congress, which will decide the next regional boss.

“Both UEFA and CONCACAF are supporting this initiative and have provided the funding for the meeting,” stated John-Williams, in an email sent on a TTFA letterhead.

A representative at a local translation agency confirmed that they provided service—which included translators, equipment, PA, booth and technician—for a Caribbean football meeting at the Marriott on 17 and 18 June.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president David John-Williams invites the Caribbean's football presidents to a Trinidad meeting on 17 and 18 June 2016.
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president David John-Williams invites the Caribbean’s football presidents to a Trinidad meeting on 17 and 18 June 2016.

However, sources revealed that the invoices went to the TTFA.


Two TTFA board members told Wired868 that John-Williams never asked or even informed the local body that he was using TTFA money to help fund his Caribbean football ambitions, or that he planned to run for CFU office in the first place.

“In none of the [board] meetings did that come up,” said one TTFA board member, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “I don’t know anything about that. And that is of concern.”

Wired868 asked John-Williams whether the TTFA board agreed to pay—temporarily or not—the cost of his CFU meeting, if it was the start of his presidential campaign and if he would have the TTFA membership appoint an independent committee to probe irregularities in the 2015 election.

He had not responded up to the time of publication.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago National Senior Team head coach Stephen Hart (left) and Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president David John-Williams enjoy each other's company during a press conference at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Port of Spain on 19 May 2016. (Courtesy Wired868)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago National Senior Team head coach Stephen Hart (left) and Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president David John-Williams enjoy each other’s company during a press conference at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Port of Spain on 19 May 2016.
(Courtesy Wired868)

Newly elected CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani promised to chip in to offset costs for John-Williams’ meeting while, according to the TTFA president, UEFA vowed to help fund the event. In theory, both football bodies will reimburse the cash-strapped TTFA.

And, pointedly, the inaugural CPFL meeting was attended by UEFA legal counsel Veron Mosengo-Omba, FIFA professional football development manager James Johnson and CONCACAF club licensing and development officer Jonathan Martinez.

But why did CONCACAF, UEFA and FIFA agree to assist a Caribbean project by an individual candidate, without consulting Caribbean Football Union (CFU) president Gordon Derrick, on the brink of an election campaign?

Ironically, the cash-strapped CFU often holds its own AGMs during CONCACAF or FIFA Congresses to save itself the expense of airfare and accommodation.

Photo: FIFA professional football development manager James Johnson .
Photo: FIFA professional football development manager James Johnson attended the David John-Williams/TTFA meeting in Trinidad on 17 and 18 June 2016.

Derrick emailed Montagliani and acting general secretary Ted Howard, on 7 June, for answers on how it had handed over a CFU project to an individual member—and funded it—without consulting the Caribbean’s governing body.

“The CFU general secretary and I met with you and other CONCACAF colleagues last Tuesday, covering myriad of aspects in what appeared to be a positive step towards cooperative engagement between both organisations.

“This purported CONCACAF-backed TTFA initiative was never raised, and I would appreciate if you could provide clarity as this, as originally proposed is a CFU project.

“The exclusion of the CFU ExCo at a session that purports to discuss proposal and implementation of a Caribbean professional league is alarming.”

Montagliani scoffed at the suggestion that CONCACAF was trying to influence Caribbean football politics.

Photo: New CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani. (Copyright Prensa)
Photo: New CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani.
(Copyright Prensa)

“CONCACAF has a fiduciary responsibility to consider any proposal or request of any member association and, in fulfilment of our obligation, we considered the request… Our only condition to providing support was that all 31 Member Associations in the Caribbean be invited to participate—this belies your accusation of  divisiveness and favouritism.

“CONCACAF will continue to support football activities of any Member Association upon request, assuming the request is reasonable, financially sustainable and within our authority… In fact, supporting this effort is what we are supposed to do.”

Montagliani ended his email, which was leaked to Wired868, by offering to take Derrick for coffee. He appeared to miss—or pretended to—the fact that a meeting including all 31 MAs but without the CFU president is precisely what John-Williams would want if he was using the workshop as a platform for his presidential ambitions.

At least one CFU source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, accused John-Williams and Jamaica’s CONCACAF vice-president Horace Burrell of plotting against the Caribbean and claimed that both men campaigned to have Montagliani, a Canadian administrator, elected as CONCACAF president on 12 May 2016.

It was the first time in 26 years that CONCACAF elected a president from outside the Caribbean.

Photo: CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani has assured Caribbean Football Union (CFU) president Gordon Derrick that he is not plotting his downfall.
Photo: CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani has assured Caribbean Football Union (CFU) president Gordon Derrick that he is not plotting his downfall.

Now, the informed CFU source thinks FIFA plans to finish the job of neutering the Caribbean with John-Williams as their weapon of choice.

“I have never seen a [CFU] member host all the MAs for the Caribbean and have representatives from UEFA, CONCACAF and FIFA at an individual meeting. It is the first time.

“John-Williams sold out the Caribbean to Victor [Montagliani]. One of the few things we have in the Caribbean is our political strength and he sold it for what? To be president of the CFU?

“I am very very disappointed at the results from [the 2016 CONCACAF Congress in] Mexico. It is clear that they were able to divide us, aided and abetted by John-Williams and Burrell, who are [from] the two most powerful football nations in the Caribbean along with Haiti and Cuba.

“Burrell said to one of our members that, if he couldn’t be CONCACAF president, then let Victor [Montagliani] get it.”

John-Williams did not respond to the accusation while Wired868 failed to reach Burrell for comment.

The blueprint for the new CONCACAF was done before Montagliani’s ascension, though. Three notable revisions to the confederation’s statutes were announced on 25 January 2016:

Photo: United States Soccer Federation (USSF) president Sunil Gulati (centre) hugs national women players Abby Wambach (left) and Christie Rampone after their 2015 World Cup final win over Japan. (Copyright AFP 2015/Kevin C Cox)
Photo: United States Soccer Federation (USSF) president Sunil Gulati (centre) hugs national women players Abby Wambach (left) and Christie Rampone after their 2015 World Cup final win over Japan.
(Copyright AFP 2015/Kevin C Cox)

“The CONCACAF Council shall include three “Independent Members”—in addition to the president, three vice-presidents, three “Member Association Members”—and one “Female Member”, who are nominated by the CONCACAF Council and must qualify as “independent”;

“Candidates for the CONCACAF Council, each standing committee and judicial body must pass an eligibility check carried out by the Ethics Committee.

“Deletes provisions providing that the CONCACAF Representatives to the FIFA Council have no voting power at the CONCACAF Council.”

Derrick said he fought United States Soccer Federation (USSF) president Sunil Gulati consistently over the proposed changes to the make-up of the CONCACAF Council.

But it was for nought since Burrell, who is the Caribbean’s representative to CONCACAF, accepted it.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago captain Maylee Attin-Johnson (right) collects the 2014 Caribbean Cup trophy from CFU president Gordon Derrick. (Courtesy Jinelle James/WOLF)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago captain Maylee Attin-Johnson (right) collects the 2014 Caribbean Cup trophy from CFU president Gordon Derrick.
(Courtesy Jinelle James/WOLF)

“They were trying to dilute the voting strength of CFU,” said Derrick. “Before, you had a president from the Caribbean, three vice-presidents and three ordinary members   [with one] from each region [of North America, Central America and the Caribbean] and a female member who was from the Caribbean.

“So the CFU had four votes [from a total of eight]. That was our strength and they were hellbent on changing it…

“If you add three more members and give them a vote each, then we would have five and they would have six. And they would control the ExCo (executive committee).”

Derrick was furious at CONCACAF’s executive changes. But he soon became familiar with one of the other amendments, which allowed FIFA to strike down potential candidates on ethical grounds.

On 12 April 2016, then FIFA Audit and Compliance Committee chairman Domenico Scala  revealed that, following integrity checks, Derrick would not be permitted to run for the office of CONCACAF president.

Photo: Domenico Scala was the chairman of the FIFA Ad-hoc Electoral Committee and Audit and Compliance Committee.
Photo: Domenico Scala was the chairman of the FIFA Ad-hoc Electoral Committee and Audit and Compliance Committee.

The CFU president said FIFA informed him that his ban was due to his part in the 2011 Mohamed Bin Hammam bribery scandal and an Antigua FIFA GOAL project investigation, which begun on 6 March 2015 but still remains inconclusive.

Five years ago, FIFA ruled that Derrick failed to pass on information of wrongdoing at a CFU meeting, chaired by disgraced ex-CONCACAF president Jack Warner, in which bribes were paid to Caribbean delegates.

Derrick, who was not found to have collected a bribe or played an active role in the wrongdoing, was reprimanded and fined CHF 300. In contrast, FIFA banned Burrell from all football-related activity for six months and placed the Jamaican on a two year probation for his part in the affair.

Yet, ironically, Burrell returned as CONCACAF vice-president—he also kept the post after the 12 May 2016 Congress—and sits on FIFA’s organising committee for the Olympic football tournament.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper Kimika Forbes (left) receives the 2014 Caribbean Cup Best Goalkeeper prize from CFU executive member Horace Burrell. (Courtesy Jinelle James/WOLF)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper Kimika Forbes (left) receives the 2014 Caribbean Cup Best Goalkeeper prize from CFU executive member Horace Burrell.
(Courtesy Jinelle James/WOLF)

“FIFA said it banned me because I attended that meeting in Trinidad as part of my duties as [ABFA] general secretary and I must have seen something which I did not tell them. So I got a reprimand. But Burrell got a ban and a fine, yet he is okay and he is still the vice president of CONCACAF.

“How can I be ruled out and not him? It is absolutely unbelievable.”

Insideworldfootball, a Europe-based football blog, claimed that Derrick had actually been cleared by US law firm Sidley Austin, which conducted integrity checks on CONCACAF’s behalf, only to be overruled by FIFA.

In his 6 April 2016 email to Scala, Sidley Austin lawyer Samir Gandhi said there was: “nothing that would rise to the level of making a recommendation to reject. As such, we believe that he has passed the eligibility check notwithstanding numerous outstanding negative issues.”

Derrick’s appeal of the FIFA decision is before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) at present.

Photo: Caribbean Football Union (CFU) president Gordon Derrick.
Photo: Caribbean Football Union (CFU) president Gordon Derrick.

An email sent by Howard to the CFU president, on 10 March 2016, was the first sign of a dirty presidential campaign:

“It has come to our attention upon a review of our financial records that the monthly payments of US$45,000 has made for the benefit of the CFU for support of its administrative and overhead expenses, is now being made to an account that is not in the name of the CFU.

“Rather, the account into which the payments are being made is to a different entity, called the “Caribbean Football Union, Inc.”

Howard went on to list, with great detail, the various statements needed by CFU and warned—in bold writing—against the destruction of any documents needed by CONCACAF’s investigators.

“Until this matter is resolved,” stated Howard, “CONCACAF will suspend payments to the CFU.”

In fact, the CFU informed CONCACAF that it was changing bank accounts on 27 August 2015, via email correspondence shared with Wired868.

Photo: Then CFU general secretary Damien Hughes informs CONCACAF of the CFU's intention to change bank accounts.
Photo: Then CFU general secretary Damien Hughes informs CONCACAF of the CFU’s intention to change bank accounts.

Derrick explained the change of banks became necessary since the previous CFU account was set up by former CONCACAF president Jeffrey Webb at the Fidelity Bank where he served as director.

After Webb’s indictment, Fidelity refused to accept television money meant to be relayed to the CFU. And Derrick was unable to make any changes to the account without authorisation from Webb and another signatory, Canover Watson, who was convicted of fraud in the Cayman Islands.

The CFU general secretary Damian Hughes immediately began moves to open a new bank account for the regional body in Antigua, since it was the homeland of the president and general secretary designate, Neil Cochrane.

Cochrane said Antiguan banks do not allow accounts for companies that are not registered on the island. The CFU is headquartered in Jamaica.

So, after a regional executive committee meeting in Saint Martin in August 2015, a decision was made to register another CFU branch in Antigua. That also failed since some of the directors listed at the Office of the Registrar in Jamaica, which included Webb, were no longer members of the body’s executive.

Photo: Disgraced former CONCACAF president Jeffrey Webb. (Copyright AFP 2014/Alexia Fodere)
Photo: Disgraced former CONCACAF president Jeffrey Webb.
(Copyright AFP 2014/Alexia Fodere)

So a new company was formed, which is fully owned by CFU.

“The articles within our statutes gives the ExCo the authority to register in all 31 countries of the CFU if we require to do business,” said Cochrane. “So we were not going ultra vires to the constitution… [Derrick and I] were the first two directors and since then we updated to include [CFU vice presidents] Cheney Joseph, Lyndon Cooper and [legal advisor] Anthony Johnson, who had [all] taken forever to send the documentation to the bank.

“In Antigua when you open a company, the company must have shares and the common practice is to say you have 10,000 shares. So the company was registered with 10,000 shares but initially they were not issued to anyone…

“In March or April, the shares of the Caribbean Football Union Incorporated were issued to the Caribbean Football United Limited in Jamaica. At no point were there shares owned by anyone.

“There are two CFUs but with the same directors and owners… CFU Inc a subsidiary of CFU Jamaica and 100 percentage owned by CFU Ltd.”

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago forward Trevin Caesar (right) takes the ball around St Vincent and the Grenadines goalkeeper Lemus Christopher during Russia 2018 World Cup qualifying action at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain on 29 March 2016. Trinidad and Tobago won 6-0. (Courtesy: Allan V Crane/CA-images/Wired868)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago forward Trevin Caesar (right) takes the ball around St Vincent and the Grenadines goalkeeper Lemus Christopher during Russia 2018 World Cup qualifying action at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain on 29 March 2016.
Trinidad and Tobago won 6-0.
(Courtesy: Allan V Crane/CA-images/Wired868)

Derrick said the CFU’s stand-off with CONCACAF barely lasted a month. And, by the time all parties met at the Congress in Mexico, the CONCACAF hierarchy greeted him warmly.

Derrick suggested that Howard’s email was part of a North America campaign, aided by FIFA, to seize power.

“That [CONCACAF] letter came out a week or two after I announced my candidacy for CONCACAF president and immediately they cut our funding. No one but God can say that wasn’t orchestrated to cause confusion in the CFU… At the time, they were speaking to us in a hostile manner but after [the CONCACAF Congress in] Mexico, you would think we were the best friends ever.

“So this was all done to make sure they got what they wanted.”

Intriguingly, Howard’s accusatory letter to Derrick resurfaced on 17 June when it was read verbatim by a radio host on I95.5FM. There was no suggestion to listeners that CONCACAF resumed funding the CFU, two months earlier, and no wrongdoing was found.

The Trinidad radio broadcast happened hours before John-Williams hosted 17 of the Caribbean’s 31 delegates, which was paid for—at least in part—by the TTFA.

Photo: W Connection owner David John-Williams (second from left), coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier (centre) and defender Joel Russell (far left) say a prayer of thanks after securing the 2013/14 Pro League trophy at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva. John-Williams was elected as TTFA president on 29 November 2015. (Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Photo: W Connection owner David John-Williams (second from left), coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier (centre) and defender Joel Russell (far left) say a prayer of thanks after securing the 2013/14 Pro League trophy at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva.
John-Williams was elected as TTFA president on 29 November 2015.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)

The W Connection owner vowed that the CPFL will start in two years time and will comprise of 14 teams.

Nothing if not ambitious, John-Williams claimed the regional league will target a television audience of 65.9 million—the total population of the CFU member countries and their diaspora to the US and Canada—and planned to land three year sponsorship deals for a combined US$35 million from a title sponsor (US$15 million), television company (US$15 million), beer company (US$2.25 million) and soft drink company (US$2.25 million) respectively.

In return, interested clubs must pay a one-time television production fee of US$350,000 and a franchise fee of US$150,000 while guaranteeing 2,500 replica sales, 2,500 season ticket sales (US$125 each) and an approved club structure including a youth academy.

A history and playing record at CFU and CONCACAF were described as “assets.”

John-Williams was listed as the chairman of the interim steering committee for the CPFL, which also included John Krishnadath (Suriname), Fabrice Baly (Saint-Martin) and Jorge Pulido (Dominican Republic) as deputy chairmen, and Larry Mussenden (Bermuda), Didus Fedee (St Lucia), Ignacio Argote (Puerto Rico), Theresa Pitcairn (Cayman Islands), Randy Harris (Barbados), Maurice Victorie (Martinique) and Joanne Salazar and Jamaal Shabazz (both Trinidad and Tobago) as its ordinary members.

Photo: Caledonia technical director Jamaal Shabazz (left) and assistant coach Rajesh Latchoo enjoy a good day at the office during the 2013/14 Pro League season. (Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Photo: Caledonia technical director Jamaal Shabazz (left) and assistant coach Rajesh Latchoo enjoy a good day at the office during the 2013/14 Pro League season.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)

Three CPFL teams will advance to the CONCACAF Champions League, which will immediately relegate the TT Pro League and other domestic competitions to the role of feeder leagues.

The CPFL will have 26 league matches and nine knock out games while there would be no relegation or promotion for the first three years. Two teams will be added in the fourth, fifth and sixth years to bring the competition up to 20 teams.

John-Williams promised US$28.3 million to each club—over the initial three year period—as “guaranteed income and prize money.”

His plans raise the intriguing possibility of a TTFA and CFU president who also owns professional clubs in the very league that he runs or has an influential role in.

There is little discernible difference with the operations of his compatriot and ex-CFU president, Warner, whose Joe Public club played in local, regional and CONCACAF competitions while using the CONCACAF Centre of Excellence as its home ground.

Photo: Former Minister of Works and Transport and ex-FIFA vice-president Jack Warner. (Courtesy UK Telegraph)
Photo: Former Minister of Works and Transport and ex-FIFA vice-president Jack Warner.
(Courtesy UK Telegraph)

“John-Williams is compromised and he isn’t operating in the best interest of the CFU,” said Derrick. “He is operating in their interests… I don’t say I am the greatest leader and God’s gift to football management but I am 100 percent for the Caribbean. Everything I do is for the benefit of the Caribbean…

“As long as we controlled the presidency, the Caribbean would have been fine but they decided they didn’t want that.”

Derrick said CAS gave FIFA until the first week in July to respond to his appeal against his disqualification from the CONCACAF presidential election. He is wary that FIFA might try the same trick again.

“Some members are telling me that CONCACAF is pushing FIFA to disqualify me from running in this election,” said Derrick, “and they are just waiting on me to make my public announcement that I would be running.”

Ironically, although CONCACAF and UEFA promised to pick up the tab for John-Williams’ Trinidad gathering, the CFU must pay for its own translators and meeting room for the 23 July election.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Kevin Molino (second from left) runs at Antigua and Barbuda players (from left) Keiran Murtagh, Akeem Thomas and Quinton Griffith during 2014 Caribbean Cup qualifying action. (Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Kevin Molino (second from left) runs at Antigua and Barbuda players (from left) Keiran Murtagh, Akeem Thomas and Quinton Griffith during 2014 Caribbean Cup qualifying action.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)

As a cost-cutting measure, the Caribbean Congress will be held in Florida and CONCACAF has promised to help with airfare and accommodation.

Perhaps it is fitting that the Caribbean president will be named on North American soil. Montagliani’s election further shifted the balance of power to seven votes for North and Central America and four to the Caribbean.

Now, FIFA and CONCACAF appear to be angling for a Caribbean delegate of its choice.

Rumours suggest that FIFA may despatch a representative to Trinidad and Tobago, after Wired868’s exclusive report on the controversial TTFA elections of 29 November 2015.

It is uncertain whether the governing body will come to do damage control or to make the first step towards imposing a normalisation committee, as happened in Argentina earlier this month.

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)

In the meantime, John-Williams is aiming to become the Caribbean’s new godfather, albeit one who was set clear boundaries by his FIFA overlords.

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About Lasana Liburd

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.

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207 comments

  1. The Board of Directors were previously the Executive Committee in the old constitution ent? Are they alive?? Who is policing the police? Me and those silly questions again!!!

  2. And note to editor i am not DJW mouth piece or PR just fed up of ppl who aint battling for sport sitting in the armchairs wiht all the solutions!!

  3. I was done with this one u know! Bc right now Sportt company was to have a camp in the community center by me they say nah so right now i have to go by the vegetable mart, the four rum shop by the corner, the ‘community leader’ who if they get gun down tomorrow they will say he was unempolyed to get money to host five sports for six weeks!! That’s the reality of sports in this country and the caribbean so while you moralist wait for Christ to come youths dying, communities decaying and the leaders fighting down each other and setting u all to do their job!! I going and check the gangster to get money to host 200 youths for the summer and stop wasting my time on talk fours!!

  4. I have already stated I do not

  5. Similarly when our Trinidadian Caribbean man David Nakhid was going up for Fifa Presidency bloggers here cynically knock him down. There was no call to arms for Caribbean Unity then and that was the highest post in world football – a Caribbean man – was challenging for.
    Then he was sabotaged by another Caribbean man, yet the voices for Caribbean unity was still not eloquent then.
    Now because DJW decide to contest the CFU seat he is a sell out ? Wow

  6. They need to stop, look and listen! Don’t let title, charisma and friendship cloud you mind and relegate you into complacency and tolerance of poor decision-making, autocratic leadership and corruption.

  7. Wow that is very visionary of you Sean Powder but I not seeing any solutions are you sure the current head of CFU has not already gone down that road? Secondly I am not hearing what people putting forward all I hearing is not this one. What are your solutions ” mature minded” visionaries point to solutions my Brother. This has nothing to do with ego. I want to hear solutions whom are you and other bloggers suggesting?
    And why are the people you suggesting if any at all not facing the polls ?

    • Jamal

      I am not calling anybody a sell out, sell in or sell up or down. It is not my concern if the current CFU President is already down that road because we have the TTFA to fix and build a solid foundation. I believe like politics, football is local. In my opinion it is a solution to suggest to our TTFA President to be cautious on the road he is traveling with FiFA, UEFA and Concacaf. It is a solution for good governance to be applied and the constitution be followed in a non autocratic manner. Further to my point of local football, after decades of Uncle Jack and his successors, I think it appropriate to request of our President to spend one year getting our house in order before trying to move into the Mansion. Being a visionary requires just not thinking about the future but planning for the future.

      I saw manifestos that are now ignored, I heard of audits to be published, I expect a permanent technical director, permanent general secretary., a U17 Coach. We are 3 months from hosting the CFU Finals at U17, we do not know the name of the coach. When these items remain open, how can you propose the Presidency of CFU as a solution?

  8. Jamal

    I am not calling anybody a sell out, sell in or sell up or down. I believe like politics, football is local. In my opinion it is a solution to suggest to our TTFA President to be cautious on the road he is traveling with FiFA, UEFA and Concacaf. It is a solution for good governance to be applied and the constitution be followed in a non autocratic manner. Further to my point of local football, after decades of Uncle Jack and his successors, I think it appropriate to request of our President to spend one year getting our house in order before trying to move into the Mansion. Being a visionary requires just not thinking about the future but planning for the future.

    I saw manifestos that are now ignored, I heard of audits to be published, I expect a permanent technical director, permanent general secretary., a U17 Coach. We are 3 months from hosting the CFU Finals at U17, we do not know the name of the coach. When these items remain open, how can you propose the Presidency of CFU as a solution?

  9. Every dictator since the beginning of time always used that as an excuse to act illegally without the authority of the constitution or the people.
    Who doesn’t know his history…

  10. Lasana Liburd i know in this country if we wait on them dinosaurs we will be stuck in the 1970’s still talking about glory days!! Smh and many happy returns

  11. Gordon and Jamaal

    When has FIFA, UEFA or CONCACAF supported initiatives that ultimately benefit the region? History should teach you and Jamal that their support is often synonymous with something that is bad for us. Did FIFA, UEFA, or CONCACAF ever /sanction/silence/audit Uncle Jack until it was strategic for them to do so?

    Are we so intellectually immature not to see we been down this road before?

    I am not against DJW, I like him and think he is good for Caribbean Football but I see him heading down the road that so many Caribbean and Central American football administrators followed. Today all of them are indicted, paying fines while Sepp chilling, Platini chilling and catman Blazer strike a sweat deal.

    If you believe in DJW and you want the best for TnT and the region, slow down and really listen to what Lasana and others saying. Do not let ambition, ego and arrogance screw us again.

    Peace and Love

  12. Gordon Pierre if you think because he is TTFA president that he can commit TTFA resources to any project of his choosing without asking the board of directors, then 1) You haven’t read the constitution 2) This is a hopeless conversation.
    Good luck pardner.

    • Hopeless indeed. Gordon’s position, especially the excuse he gave below, are two of the critical factors for corruption, questionable leadership, and blatant disregard for decision making protocol in T&T.

    • Heartbreaking. But that’s life here.

    • Constitutions are meant to empower not paralyze institutions!! Bureaucracy is the what cripples d third world and fosters corruption go in any ministry and try to something done!! But u could for a price that’s what d old foggies in d exco wants pers free flights, gifts and inducements but that done get up and work or get out!!

    • Gordon Pierre that’s right. Ignore the constitution when it suits you. Following the law is too old fashioned for “revolutionaries” like yourself and DJW. I read you loud and clear.
      You’re doing a fantastic job of clarifying the position of the new regime.

    • Gordon Pierre There is a process to modify the constitution should the board or a quota of the board agrees (Roberts Rules of Order) that the constitution paralyzes the institution. No one should be empowered to unilaterally make decisions contrary to the constitution of a lawful organization. If it’s proven that DJW, without approval from the board and unknowing to the Treasurer, spent TTFA funds, he should be dismissed. Case closed. This is really a discussion that’s heading no where.

  13. Right the cricket done Lasana Liburd if at first he wasn’t d ttfa president now he is, and if he using his influence of his position to move forward professional football in the region i c nothing wrong with that if FIFA and CONCACAF supporting discussions its all well and good and did more we discuss the more any independent thinker will c u getting catch up in the politics of the football not d ethics!!

    • Gordon and Jamaal

      When has FIFA, UEFA or CONCACAF supported initiatives that ultimately benefit the region? History should teach you and Jamal that their support is often synonymous with something that is bad for us. Did FIFA, UEFA, or CONCACAF ever /sanction/silence/audit Uncle Jack until it was strategic for them to do so?

      Are we so intellectually immature not to see we been down this road before?

      I am not against DJW, I like him and think he is good for Caribbean Football but I see him heading down the road that so many Caribbean and Central American football administrators followed. Today all of them are indicted, paying fines while Sepp chilling, Platini chilling and catman Blazer strike a sweat deal.

      If you believe in DJW and you want the best for TnT and the region, slow down and really listen to what Lasana and others saying. Do not let ambition, ego and arrogance screw us again.

      Peace and Love

  14. What is amount being projected for TV Rights of CPL? World Cup Rights in the Caribbean collectively do not attract any where close to that figure…..

  15. Hey hey i am no one mouth piece!! I just explaining the obvious! I sat back and saw a ttfa president undermined when making strides in RTK so i am not going to sat back and allow an even greater mover and shaker from being shackled by persons who only interested in their own importance ps i not talking about u right now that’s for the exco who only have problems and no solutions

  16. From Joe Public to W Connection… Can you show me an example of where I suggested that Gordon Derrick cleaned up Jamaal Shabazz?
    If not, we can focus on DJW.

  17. Ok captain but i can imagine!! Jamaal Shabazz i wonder y president come president go is always some exco member have a secret problem but when jack was there they had nothing to say? They want a party at the center of excellence and gifts to go!! I fed up of them!! Want power without performance let them and my name sake know football moving forward do what u want just don’t stand in d way!!

  18. Gordo you have to see the emails Lasana talking about I will see if I can get them.

  19. I will never say nor imagine that of you Lasana. However in my view you have taken Gordon Derrick’s bait. And understanding that he is selling it like he cleaned up after Jack Warner I can see why ….he will get a tinge of empathy from you. But let it not be said that I think you I am inferring you are hired by Derrick

  20. Oh gosh i missed all the action!!

  21. Because my guess would be that the current TTFA president thinks he IS the TTFA and can do what he wants with TTFA money without needing the approval of the board.
    And that isn’t progress. We have had that kind of leader before. And we know where that leads.

  22. Ok. Well let’s get back to the question Gordon Pierre. When that proposal was first drafted, DJW was connection president.
    This league is not a TTFA project and not approved and supported by TTFA board.
    So let me know when you can answer why the invoice went to TTFA. Break it down for a primary school child.

  23. These are the questions DJW should answer himself by the way. But if he wants to hide behind proxies that is his prerogative. It won’t save him though. Nobody will get fed up and walk away and allow free reign.

  24. Keep breaking it down for the primary school child Gordon. First, the proposal for the Caribbean league is not a TTFA proposal. When djw made proposal, he was not involved with TTFA. Jamaal Shabazz can tell you that.
    Since DJW became ttfa president, he never held a board meeting and asked the TTFA to get behind his idea and offer him any sort of support for it.
    And he never asked the TTFA permission to host 31 Caribbean nations or to stand guarantee for money he is supposed to get from FIFA and Concacaf.
    So keep breaking it down for a child and say why he is right to invoice TTFA without raising it with the board?

  25. Jamaal, if Andre did a story and quoted from two emails. And I quoted from about five. Who has more information?
    I don’t want to believe that you’re saying I’m hired by Gordon Derrick now. Because nobody who has known me over the years would ever buy that. And not even you can truly believe that.
    I write based on the available information. And I do my utmost to get enough to paint a comprehensive picture.

  26. Lasana Liburd let’s go forget the CFU presidency at first! The president of a cfu association, namely d ttfa have a proposal on a Caribbean proleague he talks to fifa, CONCACAF they agreed to provide technical and financial support to d start up discussions. The president invites the other cfu members including cfu president, services to b provided guaranteed by fifa, CONCACAF but fifa and CONCACAF will be giving ttfa the money u answer who the service providers should invoice nah!! I break it down so a primary school child could understand!!

  27. I’m playing dumb? Very funny. Let’s try this again Gordon Pierre.
    A meeting was held on a Caribbean professional league by a man who threw his hat in the ring for CFU president directly after. The meeting invited the entire electorate of the CFU.
    Who should get the invoice for that meeting Gordon?
    And please don’t play dumb. ✌?️??

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