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Trinidad and Tobago National Senior Team star Kevin Molino has apologised for his “recent decisions” and, indirectly, threw himself at the mercy of head coach Stephen Hart in a dramatic about-turn following his latest indiscretion on international duty, two weeks ago.
Last Wednesday, Molino vowed to take a year off from international football after Soca Warriors coach Stephen Hart dropped the Orlando City midfielder for a Caribbean Cup qualifier away to Martinique for a breach of discipline.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Molino was accused of breaking camp to party at the Vas Lounge nightclub on Rust Street on 7 October in between Caribbean Cup outings against the Dominican Republic and Martinique. It was the second time in a month that the two-time World Youth Cup player was accused of sneaking out of the team hotel to party while on international duty.
Incidentally, Molino apologised for the first incident at the time yet quickly repeated the transgression.
Initially, Molino refused to admit guilt on the second occasion and insisted on seeing photographic evidence while he subsequently vowed to quit the Warriors. However, just 24 hours after team captain Kenwyne Jones urged him to “apologise properly” so the team could move forward, the 26-year-old MLS maestro decided to do just that.
Last week, he vowed to go on a one-year self-imposed exile via SnapChat. Today, he reversed his decision on Instagram:
“Playing the beautiful game is all that matters to me, especially for my country. It’s what I’ve dreamt of all my life. My recent decisions do not reflect that, and for this I’m sorry.
“I am also aware of the effects my choices have had on my teammates, fans & friends. And I apologize for this as well. My childhood dream is still alive and I’m 100% committed to representing the red, black & white if I am lucky enough to be selected again.”
Molino signed off in hashtags, presumably directed at his critics over the past week: “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.”
The ball is now in Hart’s court and Molino might have been helped by the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association’s (TTFA) initial sluggishness in dealing with the issue.
More than a week after Molino was axed for the crucial Gold Cup qualifier against Martinique, the TTFA is yet to take an official position on the matter or support Hart’s handling of it. It meant that the Warriors ace was able to soften his initial stance before a ruling from the local football body.
TTFA president David John-Williams confirmed that he spoke informally to both parties on the matter. At present, Hart is out of the country.
“Coach Hart sent a report and we are to meet on this and another matter on his return,” John-Williams told Wired868. “I actually just spoke to Molino telling him I saw his apology and I commended him and asked what is prompting such behaviour. He was a bit cagey but accepted responsibility.”
(Courtesy Nicholas Bhajan/Wired868)
Hart told the TTFA Media it was important that Molino accepted responsibility for his actions, although he stopped short of stating definitively whether he was satisfied with the apology and if there would be further disciplinary action against the player.
“It is important that he accepts responsibility for his actions,” said Hart. “Kevin’s attitude towards training and playing was never in question. His work ethic in this respect is commendable.
“He made some poor decisions and it is important that he accepts responsibility for his actions. Wearing the national team shirt is an honour. Yes! More so it is a great responsibility.”
Ironically, the situation was reversed last month when Hart fined Molino, along with Joevin Jones and Mekeil Williams, for breaking camp but played them in World Cup qualifiers against Guatemala and the United States.
John-Williams suggested then that the punishment was light and contemplated further disciplinary action against the players. However, now that Hart has dropped Molino, the TTFA president did not publicly applaud his coach and instead commended the player for apologising.
John-Williams tried unsuccessfully to replace Derrick as CFU president on 23 July 2016.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Although John-Williams and Hart have spoken warmly about their professional relationship in public, doubts linger as to whether the current Warriors coach—who was on CONCACAF’s Coach of the Year shortlist for two of his three years on the job—enjoys the full support of his boss.
Jones made it clear that the players supported Hart, although he insisted too that Molino remains “a great addition to the squad”.
“We all want Kevin to put everything behind him—apologise properly to coach, staff and players and, by extension, Trinidad and Tobago—and move forward together as a unit.
“He has been and will always be a great addition to the squad. But when it comes down to it, this is about representing yourself and Trinidad and Tobago, and nobody is ever bigger than the game…
“Moving into The Hex, the players [and myself] sincerely believe that coach Hart at the helm will give the team the best chance to qualify for Russia 2018… This is the best team we’ve had in a while and there’s no doubt that we cannot go forward without him.”
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/CA Images)
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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.
Gordon Pierre allyuh could give politicians a run for their money. First the national coach was in Trinidad for five days before he left the country and was available to meet the president then.
Secondly if the TTFA president was foaming at the mouth the FIRST time that Molino broke camp although he apologized then, then why the more relaxed approach on the SECOND occasion when he breaks the exact rule at the very next opportunity.
And finally if he can say he “commends” the guilty party got apologizing, then why can’t he not use the same opportunity to applaud Hart for taking prompt action?
Big fat wet watery loud steups.
Lasana Liburd Anwar Ali the last time the d situation occurred it was played out in the public and more damage than good was done as u all have seen an official report has been requested and the president and the coach will sit and chart the way forward with a discipline matrix being installed. This meeting have not taken place by coach is out of the country. Like is damn if u do damn if u don’t!!
Well I am not surprised because my dictator president was the same one who went behind Coach Hart back and tried to get the players to agree in playing an extra game , and the players put him in his place and said no, ain’t that so. Them really good yes.
Hmmm
UPDATE: Stephen Hart told the TTFA Media it was important that Molino accepted responsibility for his actions, although he stopped short of stating definitively whether he was satisfied with the apology and if there would be further disciplinary action against the player.
“It is important that he accepts responsibility for his actions,” said Hart. “Kevin’s attitude towards training and playing was never in question. His work ethic in this respect is commendable.
“He made some poor decisions and it is important that he accepts responsibility for his actions. Wearing the national team shirt is an honour. Yes! More so it is a great responsibility.”
Ironically, the situation was reversed last month when Hart fined Molino, along with Joevin Jones and Mekeil Williams, for breaking camp but played them in World Cup qualifiers against Guatemala and the United States.
John-Williams suggested then that the punishment was light and contemplated further disciplinary action against the players.
However, now that Hart has dropped Molino, the TTFA president did not applaud his coach and instead commended the player for apologising.
UPDATE:
Hart told the TTFA Media it was important that Molino accepted responsibility for his actions, although he stopped short of stating definitively whether he was satisfied with the apology and if there would be further disciplinary action against the player.
“It is important that he accepts responsibility for his actions,” said Hart. “Kevin’s attitude towards training and playing was never in question. His work ethic in this respect is commendable.
“He made some poor decisions and it is important that he accepts responsibility for his actions. Wearing the national team shirt is an honour. Yes! More so it is a great responsibility.”
Ironically, the situation was reversed last month when Hart fined Molino, along with Joevin Jones and Mekeil Williams, for breaking camp but played them in World Cup qualifiers against Guatemala and the United States.
John-Williams suggested then that the punishment was light and contemplated further disciplinary action against the players.
However, now that Hart has dropped Molino, the TTFA president did not applaud his coach and instead commended the player for apologising.
Smfh boi Lasana Liburd ?
DJW…..watch him.
Nice let him play now
And also when our number 1 goalkeeper Jan Michael Williams belonged to W- Connection eh, and he also voiced his opinion about the injustices in the Club eh and my dictator President who is the owner of the Club and the Coach Stuart Charles Fevrier got rid of him because he was also deemed a rebel with a cause eh but now he is accepting an apology eh I am 1000% certain if Molino had break his professional team rules and regulations eh he wudda buss his throat the same steeuuppss, Hence the reason for years I have been calling for the Players Association to be up and running in our sweet country to defend our players rights, our players shouldn’t be huting up their heads about nutten else especially about the politricks but just about playing the football and that is call Double Standards eh steeuuppss. Them really good yes.
Fair point. I don’t see Stuart accepting that twice without a firm response. No matter who the player is.
Well we are waiting very patiently to read your story on Coach Hart response eh, unless he will have nutten to say because his Boss my dictator President spoke on his behalf already eh
And when my other prolific goalscorer was standing up for the players and himself with respect to the game fee of $250 should be raised to $ 500 per player eh, the TTFA called him a rebel with a cause eh, and he was put on the black list hence the reason why he got no more call ups to represent the Soca Worries steuuppsss. but Molino broke the Coach Hart rules twice eh and my dictator President is accepting an apology eh so that he will do it again a third and final time steeuppss, and even with his eyes closed, Mr, Bound not to score ain’t want nutten with my real prolific goalscorer eh. Them really good yes.
Like the alcohol from the club finally wear off? Take your year’s sabatical as you planned please.
He wudda never done that shit neither any other player, if my greatest in the universe was in charge of the Soca Worries, then again The smiling Assassin Dwight Yorke did try the shit and that was the end of his football career with the greatest team in the universe and I wudda buss his throat the same way for disrespecting my rules. Steeuuppss. Them really good yes.
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me
Imagine we does ask the creator for forgiveness every night. Wonder what does go tru he head when he see the judgement we cast on our fellow men.
God forgave David but he also said the sin will not depart from your house. So Tamar was raped by her brother Amnon and another brother Absalom waited 2 years before he got his men to kill Ammon. Yes so David’s sins of adultery and murder were forgiven but there were lots of consequences to him and his family.
So by Molino acting the fool the GC might be a pipe dream. The consequences for his action is far reaching so my him saying I am sorry should not be greeted with a Kamla lets move on. Especially when he sorry just the other day for the same thing.
Well said……..BOOM
And that is understandable and warranted Lasana…
He take real long to feel sorry. ..does it have to do with the comments made by his US club
I agree with most of that Calvin. But there must also be consequences for actions. For a grown man to knowingly break the rules, get caught, apologise and break the same rule again at the very next opportunity is making a joke of the thing or playing his coach for a fool.
If that is the guy we are supposed to rely on to go to Russia, then you might as well start unpacking your suitcase.
I agree that to err is human. But there must be penalties for bad behaviour too. Not a lifelong ban or anything like that. But something that makes it clear we won’t tolerate this.
Hey Lasana – What rule was broken? Can you clarify? Are players not allowed to leave camp at nights period? I’m actually curious to know the camp rules.
Yeah. “In camp” means that your actions 24/7 are geared toward preparing for the game. Meaning diet, training, rest. If u in a night club, your diet not monitored neither is the energy expended when the body should on fact be recuperating for the next day’s game or training
Kion – I doubt it’s that formal. And you can’t have a human being locked up in a room / building for 5-6 days. You’re not raising chickens. Players also need to relax – destress. Don’t agree that they should go out on an all night drinking spree before the game, but a few hours out listening music and dancing is all good with me. Could even be a team bonding activity.
The only thing not formal about it is that the team probably not getting proper food.
Carlos, it actually is that formal. All the way to diet. Everything from sleep times to meal times and what’s on the menu comes from coaching staff.
The idea is to have the players in the best possible condition for the game and recovery (sleep patterns) is a big part of that.
I’m just telling you as I’ve heard it from the national team.
I remember the coach found two players sneaking to eat ice cream before their friendly against Mexico in Utah last year.
And he had to explain to them that the diary would line their lungs and they are playing at altitude. So it would affect their ability to operate on match day.
This is what it is. At professional clubs in the premiership, there are oxygen rooms at the ground and ice baths and so on. All meant to give you a physical advantage in terms of recovery.
Hart didn’t make this stuff up. How will they achieve as professional footballers if this is too much for them?
I think Carlos picturing tent and singing kumbaya when he hear players in “camp”
Lol..I’m just saying there might be too much focus on the physical and not enough on the mental aspects of things.
For the 2006 World Cup, those players were in camp for close to two months. They were in Germany for just over three weeks.
No partying. How come Dwight Yorke and Russell Latapy could manage it and Kevin Molino couldn’t?
Carlos, there were five days between each game at the Germany World Cup just like there were five days between when we played Sweden, England and Paraguay.
Was it inhumane that those players were not allowed three or four parties each in Germany?
Can’t get anywhere without a level of maturity and sacrifice.
Lasana – No one is proposing the players be allowed to party. You’re taking my points and exagerating it. I’m saying that balance may be needed. Are the players breaking camp because they’re inherently indisciplined? Or is there a deeper issue? Are they feeling stiffled or are they overly stressed? It might do us well to look at the bigger picture as we seek to understand why our players are breaking camps.
What I’m saying Carlos is that it is indeed normal for players not to be allowed to go to a club during far more extended periods together than one flipping week.
All teams in the world adhere to it. So i feel the question you should look at too is: “What is so special about Kevin Molino that he needs such leeway?”
I remember either Romario or Edmundo complaining prior to a World Cup that they needed to have sex the night before a game in order to score a goal when Brazil were talking about banning families from the team hotels for the duration of the tournament. They still didn’t break the curfew though…(well,as far as we know)
Note that it wasn’t just Molino that broke the camp. If it was just him I’ll say it was a one off and deal with the bad apple. However, there were others as well. So it might be symptomatic of a bigger issue. Anyway, as Kelvin said in an earlier post the players have their cell phones, ipads, ipods, and other electronic gadgets, so they should be happy like pappy:-)
Carlos, we cannot want Trinidad and Tobago to compete with the top nations in the world and not expect the players to sacrifice like the top players in the world.
If they want to be relaxed and enjoy life, then let St Vincent and the Dominican Republic be the teams they compare themselves with.
And let fans pay SVG ticket prices to watch them.
As far as we are aware, Molino was only player to break camp the second time.
It’s simple Brian don’t spend your money
And Calvin, that’s where I’ve been for the last few years. Unfortunately I can’t say where my tax dollars go. Oh well…….
We all spend to support and watch them whenever or wherever they are in America I go once I can but that doesn’t give me the right to pull down a young man or say he should never play again for the country he made a mistake it being more than once or in a short space of time understood but we all fall short in some way in our life but it’s up to us to learn from it and the team need him if they are to stand a chance of making the WC so let’s put it behind us and support the team and him and let’s move forward
Calvin Palos Garcia I’ve never said he should never play again! What I’ve said is that he deserves a strong punishment which will send a clear message to all athletes representing our country about what’s acceptable behavior. This has been a constant behavior amongst our footballers and our West Indian cricketers – it must stop! No one has ever made a strong statement against it. This is as good a time as any. I’m also not pulling him down! He broke team rules and as such betrayed his team mates! It is my right – I’m a citizen.
So if it has bin done for yrs y should he be made the example or y she he feel the grunt of this for the ones that did it before him… As I have said punishment is a must but judge him on what he did not what has bin going on for yrs… We are all citizens and we all love our country and we hold our athletes to a high standard but we are all humans and sometimes we make the wrong choices….
Calvin Palos Garcia , I concede! Since it’s been done for a long time, let’s just forget it. Ok then……….. so where do we go from here?
We can’t forget it Brian we just have to learn from it and (try) and make sure it doesn’t happen again…. Where do we go the coach,his staff and the president sit down and come up with a solution when it comes to him and also moving forward to ensure that it doesn’t happen again with him or anyone else…
Calvin Palos Garcia it not happening again is up to the player, no one else.
Calvin, you know we aren’t going to get near to Russia with a bunch of children right?
Here’s an example I just shared. When T&T played Mexico in Utah last year, the players were warned to stay away from dairy and especially ice cream. It was off the menu.
But a member of the coaching staff caught two players sneaking to have one of those ice cream bars.
So now the coach has to explain to these guys that they are playing Mexico at altitude and the dairy will line their lungs thereby further impacting on their ability to operate when it is hard enough to breath, etc, etc.
Is this a World Cup-bound football team or a nursery?
Lasana Liburd these guys need to be educated on some of these stuff am sure our team don’t have someone that teaches them about what is right for there bodies and what’s wrong the few that play in professional leagues outside of Trinidad may know these things because there clubs are equipped with those things but for some this is new to them… I also understand if it was told to them then they shouldn’t do it…..
Funny that it seems one or two with professional teams are the ones who need the most work. And that suggests it is not a lack of knowledge but something else.
Good luck to the coaching staff.
Loll yup good luck to them
That’s what we said after the first time too Bass Cleff.
Lasana Liburd you know I don’t condone Molino’s actions…he messed up twice in one month…we all mess up consecutively… Maybe ppl dont know of it unlike this case but if we look in de mirror I know we all have messed up consecutively… All I’m saying is…give him a chance only because he apologized even though it’s for a second time…
Bass Cleff but you just condoned his action.
I’m happy to give him a chance. A man break the light and cause an accident. I forgive him.
But he has to fix my ride. Consequences.
Sorry again lol
Yep, lip service.
Only because it affects his club career
Young people need to be taught the right thing long before they get on the National team. Apology accepted. Lets move on and learn something from this.
Big man ting?
Allyuh getting on as if coach Hart made his ruling already. So far all we know is that Molino apologised and the TTFA president thought it was a great apology.
Unless…
..So the disciplinary measure was one match. HAHAHAHAHA..
LMFAO
Well done let’s move on now and get ready for the hex….
Yes Kamla
If that’s what you think I respect that everyone has there own opinion but we are all humans and make mistakes so I don’t see the need to bring down this young man he did something he got ban for the game and there is still a chance of him being punished more witch am not against but what I would do is hold this against him forever we live and we learn now it’s just for us to see if he learned anything from his mistake….#thosewhocastthefirststone
Fool me once shame on you fool me twice shame on me.
OK respect that
Once a mistake? . But only now.
I think we hadda go ahead without him. Take in the first two games of the hex with the current team, and coach, then assess things
I totally read ‘asses’ ?
I really hope so
He would of have to sit out more games and send a message to the team that this action is not acceptable
Listen…whether he means it or not is not our business. The fact is he did the honourable thing. Too bad some of us who are laughing cannot even use their name and “honourable” in the same sentence… But in moving forward, our proof will be what he does from here… I too was very critical of his actions but i also feel he can help us tremendously on our road to Russia once he stays on the right track…so give it up for now!!!
I disagree! It is my business! I spend money going to see them. My tax dollars support them. This was the second time he did it. We must have standards!
Ok and this is the second time he has done it… So you have you learnt the very first time from every mistake you made? Even as a young man growing up??? Ok then are there any more men like you around? Because I need to find one JUST LIKE YOU! I’m simply saying…let’s judge him by what he does next rather than what we assume he’ll do…and if you look back you’d see where i was one who totally disagreed with his actions at the time. He has done what many men can’t do…”apologize”… Let’s give him the chance now. And no…I’m not a “hurt” woman ok?
Bass Cleff I don’t know where the hurt woman thing comes from but he’s done it twice in close succession- within one month!!! Yes, I’m comfortable saying I’m sorry!
I know some men get offended when women speak about men “not being able to apologize” and always sum it up to one who was hurt hence my saying that…that’s all…
I never Knew being 26 Hard back years old and you still in childish ways.. Wanting to learn frm mistakes.. Look eh the football team eh no life coarse or symposium…. It’s serious commitment needed for the world. Cup qualifiers
Yet the TTFA could not make a public statement up until now on this matter. This body is full of shit.
The fact that he apologized does not or should not affect the penalty. Remember we went down this road before and $6000 US did not affect him. We should accept his apology but he should feel the full brunt of the sanction. He’s not bigger than the game or the nation. About time we have some standards
Hahhaha !!!
Well they dead weekend of Nov 8, 9, 10…fete after fete !
Good sense has prevailed. Even if he not sorry at least he showing some common sense. Maybe ppl in Orlando informed him how it could negatively affect his career
Forget him. An example
It looks like the coach has been put in a hard position after the President of the TTFA basically accepted the apology and nothing has been done yet.
Smh
how will his non-selection for the National team affect his marketability?…is he only now realizing that he could be jeopardizing his financial future?…
How??? Lol
WARRIORS I’M SORRY.
Moli break ah biche one night
And to make matters worse, do it back.
Back back a few weeks ago
Make the head coach tu’n blue and black.
Took away some Moli money and said
” That wasn’t very nice”.
And so today, after this second apology
What will be the price???
Warriors I’m soreeee… To the tune of “Haiti”??
Lol. Encore!
Oh Kaiso bad.
Arh Plzzzzzzzz!!!!!!
Actions must have consequences.
If so, it’s not a good precedent to set for the team.
Didn’t this “bushumplex” apologize then get fined and then do it again? Are we really that desperate??
I’ve already purchased my tickets for the Costa Rica game on the 11th. It’ll be great to have Molino on the team.
Really sir.
Yes, really. Kevin is a very talented player.
Not disputing that. But what he did in succession. Nah man. I solely rest our defeat in the last game on him.
Ok, but he isn’t the engine of the team. I really think that many of the other players lacked the will to win that game against Martinique. I can’t blame Kevin solely for that loss. I’ve put that Caribbean Cup behind me and I look forward to a spirited performance by my Trinidad and Tobago squad.
And if he’s allowed to play in the hex I will seriously not be going to any of the games. Am a Soca Warrior.
Ok, but I hope you will still support our team in spirit
It Affected the entire team mentally.
It would affect the team but they are professionals and should have fought just as hard as if he was playing. I mean, just because a key player is absent doesn’t mean that everyone just loses heart.
Point taken.
There was also the injury to two other starters.
Yes, I saw Jones K pull up
Kevin breached the rules and has apologised. Let’s give this team our full support. If he plays don’t stay away from the stadium. Our boys need the 12th man out there at every home game. Let’s make our national stadium OUR HOME, OUR RED FORTRESS. Let’s make it like Dortmund’s Signal Iduna Park
Well said Richard k Mason I will be in the stadium win lose or draw I’m a soca warrior
cause that apoligy is a joke not sincere that is someone telling him what 2 do you really feel he is remorseful please he aint learn shit cause its him saying sorry but someone else”s words
The most mature thing he’s done recently.
The problem was he apologised very eloquently the first time too. That will put everyone in a quandary here.
Hmmmm
Big man ting…lewwe hope he matures from this experience and move on to greater things…it will be interesting to see whether the public will support him…i hope we do and so help develop a better person, not just a footballer, out of him. Remember he is a role model for countless young boys here in Trinidad and Tobago. It’s a bit sad that the first two comments are laughing…maybe I missed something …Just saying…
..The fix is in. LOL..
“..So the disciplinary measure was one match. HAHAHAHAHA..”
“the fix is in”??????????
Appears that you are privy to info that we are not.
The proof of the pudding is in the eating.