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Trinidad and Tobago defender Daneil Cyrus insisted he did not have a drop of alcohol on New Year’s Day and said he felt unfairly vilified after coach Tom Saintfiet told the media that Cyrus and his former W Connection teammate, Jomal Williams, came to camp late and smelling of alcohol.
Both players were axed from the Trinidad and Tobago squad to face Suriname and Haiti in 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup playoff action on Wednesday night and Sunday afternoon respectively at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva.
(Copyright AFP 2014/ John Amis)
However, Cyrus said his reputation could be unfairly tarnished by Saintfiet’s statements. And, although he stressed he did not want conflict with the Soca Warriors coach, the defender disputed any suggestion that he touched alcohol before joining the team camp.
“People think I came into camp smelling of alcohol,” Cyrus told Wired868. “[Saintfiet] asked Jomal: ‘You are smelling of alcohol’? And [Jomal] said ‘Yes, I took a drink with my family’.
“He never told me anything about that. And I never took a drink.”
Saintfiet’s exact words to the media were:
“Two of the players came one and a half hours too late in camp and had still decent smell of alcohol around him (sic). That was Daneil Cyrus and Jomal Williams. Both were immediately sent home, back to party but are replaced in the squad.”
Cyrus, who has 62 full international caps, tried to explain the chain of events that led to him being dropped from the national team.
(Courtesy: Arianna Grainey)
The Connection defender, who also played professionally in Vietnam and the United States, said he got a flat tyre while driving to the team’s camp in Claxton Bay and realised he did not have a jack in his vehicle. He was in St Helena at the time.
Cyrus claimed he then called a friend who came from Santa Rosa in Arima to help him change his tyre.
The setback meant he was over an hour late to meet his teammates at the Cara Suites Hotel. All players were supposed to be at the hotel by noon but, according to Cyrus, he got there at 1.26pm.
On the way, he said he picked up Williams, who was supposedly having trouble getting a taxi to the Cara Suites. Cyrus said he relayed his mishaps to the technical staff via national teammates Alvin Jones and Aikim Andrews, who are both also Connection players.
“I called and told Alvin what happened,” said Cyrus. “And then Aikim called and he put on the manager, Azaad [Khan], who told me the coach was mad…”
Cyrus said when he and Williams got to the hotel, he went to see Saintfiet who immediately demanded to see the flat tyre to verify the defender’s story. He said they were heading to check the flat when the Belgian coach got a whiff of his teammate.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Everything changed quickly after that.
“The coach asked me to see the flat tyre that I changed and I said okay,” said the 26-year-old Cyrus. “But before we could do that, he said: ‘Jomal, you are smelling of alcohol’? And Jomal told him that he took a drink before he came with his family.
“And then coach told us to wait in the lobby. And when he came back, he said: ‘Okay, you can go home. Go and party’.”
Wired868 tried unsuccessfully to reach Williams for his account of what transpired.
Cyrus said he was stunned by Saintfiet’s reaction but shook the coach’s hand and left. He insisted that he is fully committed to representing Trinidad and Tobago.
“It wasn’t anything that I could control,” said Cyrus, who is a former two-time World Youth Cup player. “I am fully committed to play for my national team—anytime!”
Tall, mobile and aggressive, Cyrus was considered one of Trinidad and Tobago’s top prospects when he broke into the senior squad, six years ago. But, like most of his teammates, he disappointed in 2016.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Cyrus looked especially vulnerable in the Warriors’ two World Cup qualifying defeats in the Hex to Costa Rica and Honduras. But he held his hands up and admitted that his performances have not been good enough.
“I wasn’t really at my best for the last two [World Cup qualifying] games and everybody knows that,” said Cyrus. “I know that too. Sometimes a player might be going through a good patch and sometimes a player is going through a bad patch.
“For the Guatemala match [on 2 September 2016], I thought I had an okay game but for the last two games I really wasn’t at my best. I am not hiding. I just had two bad games.”
Cyrus plays central defence for Connection but was a regular at right back under former National Senior Team coach Stephen Hart. And, in his two outings under Saintfiet, he appeared in central midfield.
“I can play anywhere on the field, once I get time to adjust to the position,” he said. “A footballer should be able to play anywhere on the field. In the last game [against Nicaragua], I even got a chance one on one [with the opposing goalkeeper] and I missed…
“I do prefer to play centre back, honestly. But any position they let me play, I play it to the best of my ability.”
(Courtesy Nicholas Williams/Wired868)
Cyrus will have to look on from the outside as Trinidad and Tobago try to book their place at the Gold Cup without him. The Warriors face Suriname from 7pm on Wednesday at the Ato Boldon Stadium.
He hopes his stay on the sidelines is brief, though. And he insists that he did not have an alcoholic drink on New Year’s Day.
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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.
Judge not if you do not wish to be judged.
Ahhh yes…if only.
This is not about ‘judging’ it’s about ‘accountability ‘ and ‘discipline’ and it seems Mr Man is putting his foot down.
Has he proved that Cyrus had a flat tyre? Or had a drink? I am all for discipline and proper behavior, but am not convinced that Cyrus acted irresponsibly.
So 2 big hard back men take so long to change a flat…. then they really shouldn’t be on the team
LMAO
I think Cyrus really wanted to convey that he did not drink alcohol and felt it unfair that people now think he did.
Lies….he cuda call or tex d coach n said he will be late….poor excuse..i say drop they ass..some off them feel they 2 big n cant get drop….they head swell big like a melon….i stand with d coach….give other men opportunities…it have plenty talent out there
To be fair, I think the point that Cyrus was trying to make was he did not drink any alcohol and he thought it was unfair to be accused of that.
But he was contented to be late?
Tough luck…
Well, that is where the flat tyre thing came in Reyna. That was the excuse. Rightly or wrongly…
Sooooo…..Cyrus stroll in (already late regardless of how legitimate the reason was)…and stroll in with he padna smelling of alcohol and expects the coach not to paint both of them with d same brush? Either these guys incredibly stupid or incredibly stupid
Based on the story coach did not complete the investigation.
It is wrong to axe Cyrus based on on perception.
Based on the report he did try to reach out. For me that better than saying nothing at all and showing hour and a half late.
Half of you all who talking would not take a jail just like that. Allyuh would beg the judge to hear your full story.
So why Cyrus full story should not be heard or fully investigated.
If the man was not drinking, he was not drinking.
How many times has he shown up late for practice?
Is it habitual?
Is he a trouble maker?
My point was I think the alcohol came after the lateness. Maybe if they weren’t late, the coach wouldn’t have known any better.
These are meant to be professional players. Arriving late regardless of the circumstances shouldn’t be any excuse unless off course it was some dire emergency.
Yuh reached late for an exam, the doors were locked! No second chances. Totally support the coach.
In a perfect world that could work, other wise every Monday morning you looking for a team.
The only thing I can see Cyrus could have done is left his teammate and head straight for training after his troubles.
But Cyrus make the teammate late, not the other way around. Jomal shoulda ask tha family he was drinking with for a ride once Cyrus was sticking
Noted
No wonder Jomal took a drink while he was waiting then! Lol. Kidding.
Good move coach! I’m 100% sure at the next training session every player shows up early and well-rested.
Flat tire maximum 15 mins.Digicell call while delayed 15 secs.
Jokey warriors that’s there name from now
I had a flat, no jack and I couldn’t get a taxi. You mean to say you not even prepared to reach to camp on time? In the mean time the rest of the team had the courtesy to arrive not just on time but probably early!
More like this needs to happen.
Call up Duane Muckette !
Good going coach stand for something if they not committed to representing their country. let them go and play fete match .
I believe in hearing two sides of the story ! Cyrus and Jomal sides are very symptomatic of the level of illiteracy they portray as players ( very low football IQ) .
Still waiting on Jovin Jones and Molino , both of which has had recent incidents of leaving camp to party ! Won’t be surprised .
The ISSUE now is that we have a coach that is very disciplined and strong enough to crack the whip . LAtapy has just arrived on the coaching staff and I fear that the players will use LAtapy to undermine the coaches discipline .. LATAS must not allow the coaches stand to be compromised !!!
These “PROFESSIONAL” players recent behavior are nothing short of disgraceful !
It will take a while before these kids learn how to behave and be respectful, especially to themselves. So more benching to come.
Good thing that the coach is putting down his foot. You know how Trinis are.
The flat tire is a soft excuse! Don’t believe it!
LMAO
Hahahhahaha… he just deflated his chances of ever representing the Soca Warriors again…
Bwahaha
I had to take my pet goldfish to the vet
I like this coach
Yea Timothy Rochford… ➡Trinidad and Tobago Football Association!! ?
I say is he Cyrus call =D
Nah… don’t mind me… I’m just trollin
He mussy rub up on Jomal ???????
My crystal ball tells me on Monday the 9th this coach will put out an open invitation for foreign born/base players. He is going to take the same road as the Jamaican and Haitian coaches.
Oh wait the crystal ball is being more specific. European players. I see 7 European born/base players lining up against Panama
Supposedly
^^^^^he had a tyre… but no jack
Lol I was thinking the same thing yes. Can’t afford a car and did not have a spare tire.
Well said and spot on Lance Noel. This attitude will continue to affect our society at all levels in very profession.
It’s a societal problem ,where anything goes.
It seems in Trinidad as though anything that can possibly go wrong can go wrong here. The thing is, this behaviour is so ingrained in our psyche that unfortunately we are going to remain like this for years to come in a technology driven age where we are witnessing the rise of many nations while we here apart from declining oil and gas revenues are not producing anything that the world needs. What a shame for TnT
Btw..professional footballers can’t afford a car?
Breds … local pro footballers sometimes make less than $3500 a month. Some can’t afford taxi fares, let alone owning cars.
Maybe they need to reconsider their “career”
It’s a gamble Shaun. They can earn a good living for themselves if they get off the island.
Kevin Molino was in the position once. Now he earns just upwards of US$8,000 per month.
I’m sure he wasn’t making $3500 /month TT when he was here though
Actually he was …
Damian R. Scott..u managing ah pro league side ohrr?
Lol…. sweet.Tnt yes…sweet
Basic manners and lack of professionalism continue to plague us as a society.Why didn’t the player with the flat tyre call the coach,manager or a member of the technical staff? He eventually called another player,why? Wasn’t he in possession of their telephone numbers,if not why?
Well said Lance. You know you’re running late, call and give the manager heads up. Common sense man. Don’t wait until the arrival time has expired then call to say why you’re late. Lasana – I think you missed asking Cyrus why he didn’t call before the arrival time to give the manager heads up. He’s been on the team for years. Should know better. I do like the fact that the coach is not tolerating these schoolboy behavior. The players behavior is akin to the old “the dog ate my homework” excuses we tried using in years gone by.
Exactly my sentiments Lance Noel when i read of this ‘flat tyre article’. If his story is authentic or not???…i’m certain we trinis used that line many times.
Guess he may be guilty by association.
Be diplomatic and drop him for the right reasons.
Drop him if you have to, but to accuse him wrongfully is utterly stupid and disrespectful.
Idk if cyrus literally had a flat tyre but I think this drop was needed for him to get his act together…total rubbish since the Guatemala game from him
I believe the bloke.. But…I also believe in Santa. the Easter Bunny. Traveling. Calling. Telling the truth. and that the children are the future
Why isn’t anyone being objective here
Because we like to criticize and throw stones. Tbh the story sounds plausible. Whether he drank or not is debatable but everything else he said pretty much was consistent with what the coach said. We’ll never know what the coach would have done if he actually saw the flat now tho lol
From the coach’s comments, I think it is possible that he unfairly saddled Cyrus with Jomal on the drinking charge.
My point exactly. Cyrus seems to be forcefully drinking bush tea for Jomal’s fever
If he had arrived earlier without his partner the Coach may very well have accepted his excuse whether he believed it or not.
Wondering if he reached camp early with a whiff of alcohol if he would have been sent home as well
Lasana better you call Jomal to hear his excuse and his version of the events too. I can’t wait to hear him come up with an excuse like “is was the new alcohol scented perfume I was wearing, I just got it for Christmas” smh
Oh yeah…flat tyre…I sure Jomal got a really good cologne for Christmas and wasn’t drinking !
This is excellent discipline protocol… I wish the Trinidad government could adopt the same no nonsense regimen!!
Primary school excuses (the dog ate my homework). He will have another opportunity to show discipline and commitment. But I fully agree with the coach that he should sit this one out (go back and party)
I believe Cyrus’s story that he had a flat tyre. Have you seen him after 20 minutes in a game?
I am starting to love this low rated cheap coach , He appear to look more value than he is .
The only person he is accountable to is the Manager so why did he call fellow players. Then you are late but find time to pick up your friend. What is the Coach expected to think?
Maybe he didn’t have the managers number. That’s entirely possible
Thank you Joan, he probably left home at 12 to reach for 12…normal thing here
Daneil Cyrus: I had a flat tyre; and didn’t touch alcohol! Defender responds to coach Saintfiet; and pledges his commitment to T&T.
So why didn’t he make a simple phone call to the manager explaining his problem before turning up to train.
He said he did via WCon team mates. Maybe he did but there was obviously something that could have been done better. Even if you don’t have the coach or manager’s number..speaking to them directly may have helped.
A phone call but just like a lot of time he don’t think on the field so is nothing.
Via a W Connection team mate(s)? Now dais ah whole lotta BS. Dem fellas not serious bout life. On ur horses idiots. I hope that the grass is greener on the other side
Phones are only for status, calling girls (an horner man), maccoing on fb, checking for likes..and posting lots of assness.
Not for serious business and things that are relevant..
In the article it says that he called and spoke to the manager.
He did call so folks get it right
And he was family whole night Cyrus is not a drinker he sipped on a cup of Bailey’s and I am not against him getting drop for not being disciplined I am upset for the defamation of character.
And the article said..” the Coach smelt alcohol ” not that Cyrus smelt of alcohol! Get it right, and it also went on to say he called Jones bout 12:15 to say he would be 15 mins late. All one has to do is open call log and show that the call was placed to who he said (Jones) and the time; that should suffice.
Worse case scenario to bush Lawyers, check before talking. Look up on your Smartphones, what is “defamation of character” and see if this particular scenario has the ingredients for that.
Not a drinker but sipped on a cup of Baileys..jaaaa..haaaa oh lorse ehh!
I dont smoke, but ah take two pulls! Haaaa haaa oh geedo…
Why people always making excuses for someone else. If you put together all the excuses you getting you will see is a set of bullshit he talking. The team wouldn’t miss you.
Mahadeo Sookoo these players behaviors are habitual.
boy drink yuh rum eh :v
Thank god for flat tyres and forgetful managers……he was a liability and it was wondrous how Hart kept him on the team.
Maybe he a liability because he’s being played in the wrong position…
W Connection are producing some sterling young men! What’s the secret, I wonder.
The coach is absolutely right!! For yrs and yrs the attitude of players hv been terrible!!!
Unless Molino was playing in those pick up games to keep fit. If he’s really not committed to playing for his country, then why select him? As for JJ, if the coach gives u time off to rest, but u played in a friendly to keep sharp, that’s fine. But not showing up at all is unprofessional & unacceptable!!!
Lass I dunno what to make of this …. I’m all for dropping people if deserved not because you just reacting impulsively….. if the excuse is legit then “Mr. Afro” acted hastily ….still not feeling this dude …anyhoo
By making this public utterance he is already in conflict with the coach and his reputation tarnished. I!s called indiscipline. In this age of modern technology, surely he could have communicated his plight to the coach prior to his late arrival.
Agreed. And for a supposedly fit man changing a tyre should only be a 10 minute job. How close to kick off time was he that 10 minutes made all the difference.?
Basic manners and professionalism seems to have escaped us here.
If we could only convert comess to WCQ points we probably would be seeded in Russia already.
Hahaha
We would of win d world cup
Yuh understand the page only posting one set ta bachannal articles
Exactly ! Even if ur running late for work u call and say ur running late jus to prevent hiccups like dat
Yep Shae. Next time Saintfiet starts telling us which one of his players were drinking, we will tell him: “Hold up coach… We don’t want to hear any bacchanal about your team!” Lol
Shae Winchester Sadly is really one set ah bacahnal always going on:)
Phone dead as well so could not call.
Lol. Nah. He said he called. And spoke to the manager too.
Lasana Liburd so either the coach is a liar or the manager was errant in to relaying message to the coach. Which is it?
Lasana – the man called the manager before or after the scheduled arrival time? Your story seem to indicate that he spoke to the manager after the arrival time had expired. Why didn’t the bro call before and ask the manager to relay info to the coach? I think the coach would have been a little more sympathetic had he done such.
Reynold the coach did get the message from what I understand. But like Carlos said, the call was made after the fact.
All the same, if he is being honest it might be that Jomal made the coach blow his fuse and he passed in the rush.
Lass was the call made after the allotted time to arrive at the hotel or before?
These jokey Trinidad and Tobago footballers we have now is so dissapointing. This country could never reach World cup with these Alcoholics, Boat Ride and fete footballers we have now. Them fellas not serious at all. Its really to late now so take the under 20 and let them play in the World Cup qualifiers. It will work out for us in the future.
In other countries they do it way more than Trinidad and Tobago. Your point is?
Yes agreed in other countries they might do it way more but the players in other countries were way more established. Trinidad players have to put in much more extra effort than these players to get results. Reach late for a training session with Alex Ferguson and see what happens.
To Darryl, Alex will blow a fit on you whole day and send you home
Joshua Cyrus that’s not true…so please. Spare us. In the US, and England…they actually sign contracts, with clauses of misconduct, indiscipline…Hence when Wayne Rooney, was out drinking, and got into pub fights; they fined him, and suspended from national duty…
The good old flat tyre excuse