Orlando City will not take action against midfielder Kevin Molino for his alleged indiscretions on international duty with Trinidad and Tobago. And neither “Lions” coach Jason Kreis or Molino will comment on what happened either.
According to Orlando Sentinel journalist Alicia DelGallo, a City spokesman confirmed that Molino will train with the Major League Soccer (MLS) club today and is available to play against Philadelphia this weekend.
However, there will be no statement from Molino or Kreis as, according to DelGallo: “The club said Molino will not comment on the incident because it is between him and the national team.”
Although City’s decision to use Molino is not unexpected, it is unclear whether the player was forthcoming with his employers as to what transpired while on international duty.
On Monday 10 October, just hours before Trinidad and Tobago’s Caribbean Cup qualifier against Martinique in Fort-de-France, head coach Stephen Hart was informed that the talented playmaker snuck out of the team hotel, three days earlier, to party at the Vas Lounge nightclub on Rust Street in St Clair.
However, according to a local source, Molino never conclusively admitted or denied the allegation. Instead, he is believed to have asked for photographic evidence of his indiscretion.
Hart, who fined Molino for a previous breach of discipline just a month earlier, responded by dropping his star player and the coach will meet with TTFA president David John-Williams before deciding on the long-term repercussions of the incident.
Kreis initially said he was concerned by the reports of Molino’s behaviour and vowed to probe the matter, although he stopped short of promising additional punishment.
“It’s not something that we condone or support,” said Kreis, “but it’s difficult to see whether or not that should affect his availability for our team.
“Certainly, if he had a disciplinary issue that happened when he was with us, there would be discipline to be had… We will wait to speak to the player and see what he has to say, as well as the coach of Trinidad.”
However, a City spokesman confirmed that Kreis did not speak to Hart. And it is uncertain whether Molino had much to say to him either. Instead, the MLS coach has apparently decided to steer clear of the issue and focus on Orlando’s two remaining games this season.
The 26 year old Molino’s only public statement thus far came via his Snapchat account where he said that he will take a year off from the Soca Warriors to focus on his club career.
The TTFA is expected to make its own decision on Molino’s international by early next week.
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.
Like he taking advice from Ian Alleyne … it is alleged !
Y is this molino incident still a issue..drop him simple he has no respect..no man is bigger than the game..we T&T ppl will settle for anything yes
And our best player just caused us to be kicked out the Caribbean Cup. A team is nothing without discipline…
sad
A : “Did you break the curfew?” ” No I did not!”
B: “Did you break the curfew?” ” Show mih ah picture nah!”
Did you break the curfew? (Ten times). ?
Who see me? Where’s the proof? You have a pic?
Kenrick Burke. Exactly! But you made a weak retort.
One is truth, one is political.
My only disappointment was the fact that I taught we knew he was there. Not an assumption.
Kenrick, an assumption is if Hart woke up and say: You know ah feel Molino went out the odder night.
If he had more credible info than that then it isn’t just an assumption.
My grouse isn’t based on Hart and his decision. It’s based on the comments here when the story was released. He was crucified. I swore he was guilty without a shadow of a doubt. Now he’s challenging Trinidad in 2016 to provide a pic. That is why I’ll remain neutral until the truth comes out.
He has already been tried and found guilty by the coach. Only sentencing left.
You can choose to stay neutral. But the fact is that case closed already unless he appeals. So people are free to criticize in those circumstances.
Chabeth, there is a slight adjustment from Orlando:
“The club said Molino will not comment on the incident because it is between him and the national team.”
Now I’m trying to ascertain whether that means Molino won’t speak to the media on it. Or if it is that Molino won’t speak to his own employers about it!
I’d want to believe it is the former but who knows with this star boy. Lol.
Wait. Allyuh hate the man and nobody have proof he break camp.
Because you don’t have photographs doesn’t mean there is no proof. Many a murder case are ruled on with video or photographic evidence eh.
What’s said proof ?
No official report has been tabled yet so I don’t want to say too much yet. Obviously Stephen Hart would not have dropped his best player unless he was certain about the authenticity of his information. And Molino did have a chance to respond to the allegations before the decision was taken.
I’m still 50/50. Call me a skeptic.
Skepticism is not a bad trait necessarily. But you would give Hart that he probably would have liked to play his best player and most lethal finisher.
Orlando City will not take action because his action did not directly affect their team. What is certain is that Molino will be straight like a pin as we say here or face the consequences. If what he did was true then he should be axed permanently as there are other players in line
Nah nah dont say that,he is our best player
They are different ways to kill a beast. They have mastered the art in foreign.
Levi Garcia in some yrs to com will be better than him
Kevin Molino gone from midfielder to Senior Counsel! Lol. I have to smile at his cheek. 🙂
He wants photographic evidence that he was on the avenue?
Like ppl see him and just start snapping?
Curious who the snitch was though…
But he must know if he broke camp or not and if he did, where he went and for how long.
No need for all this soap opera suspense in this matter.
This guy will be playing for Soca Warriors next year…watch ah joke !
Well, next year would still mean a big ban. Hard to see him playing by next month though.
I believe he will play next month…… Let us see how this plays out