Wallace emails Fifa members for support from ‘oppressive’ leadership; Hadad slams ‘misinformation’

William Wallace: “[…] We believe the imposition of the normalisation committee as punishment for our revelation of the previous administration’s financial impropriety, which was ignored by Fifa…”

Robert Hadad: “[…] Your letter is an example of the campaign of misinformation and disinformation that you and a number of your colleagues from the removed TTFA Executive Committee, have undertaken from the inception of not only the normalisation process, but as evidenced from the first day you were in office…”

The following is an ‘appeal’ for support by Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president William Wallace, which was emailed to Fifa’s 210 member associations; and the response from Fifa-appointed normalisation committee chairman Robert Hadad:

Photo: TTFA president William Wallace.
(Courtesy TTFA Media/Allan V Crane)

27 August 2020,

Dear Fellow Presidents,

On 24 November 2019, in a free and fair elections supervised by Concacaf and Fifa, the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) consisting of 46 delegates elected myself and my team to lead the TTFA by a vote of 26 to 20. Defeated candidates immediately spoke publicly of normalisation by Fifa.

It is the norm for Fifa and Concacaf to provide funding for its member associations in January of each year. No funding came to the TTFA and on enquiring, the persons at Fifa’s Finance Department could not provide any clear answers as to why, like all other MAs we the TTFA did not receive funding.

I was eventuality instructed to speak to Mr Véron Mosengo-Omba who indicated to me that Fifa would be sending a delegation to Trinidad and Tobago before we receive any funding.

We nonetheless continued to conduct the business of the TTFA and were able to accomplish many things under the challenging conditions we inherited, without the funding. We were able to start attracting international and local sponsors. Noteworthy is that among the international sponsors, we were able to sign an MOU with one of them which spoke to the paying off of the TTFA $50M debt.

Photo: (From left to right) Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team head coach Terry Fenwick, Caribbean Chemicals chairman Joe Pires and TTFA president William Wallace.
(Courtesy TTFA Media)

Importantly also was the setting up of the Finance Committee and examination of the internal financial environment of TTFA. This exercise generated a comprehensive report, which identified the absence of any internal control and clear structures in the financial operations of the TTFA.

This unfortunate situation would have existed for four years under the previous administration. It was also unfortunate that Fifa’s annual audit over that period did not make this discovery and if it did, made no demands that the administration put these structures in place.

We also discovered financial impropriety committed by the previous administration, which we revealed. It was against this background that the Fifa/Concacaf mission arrived in Trinidad & Tobago on 26 February 2020.


Incidentally, part of the mandate of the mission was to examine the internal financial structures of the TTFA. We took the opportunity to present them with our findings and the response to the document was, and I quote: ‘This is 50% of our work completed’.

The other area of concern raised by the mission was our approach in dealing with the historic debt. We were able to present to the team a comprehensive MOU signed between ourselves and a business entity out of the UK that outlined a clear initiative to deal with the USD 7 million debt that we inherited.

Photo: Then TTFA president David John-Williams (left) embraces FIFA chief members association officer Veron Mosengo-Omba during the opening of the TTFA Home of Football on 18 November 2019.
TTFA president William Wallace claims that Fifa is attempting to cover up the financial mismanagement of John-Williams by removing his elected officers.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/TTFA Media)

On 17 March we learnt via the Fifa website that a normalisation committee was set up to run Trinidad and Tobago football.

The disturbing facts about all of this were:

1. TTFA never received a report from the Fifa/ Concacaf visit.

2. As a new executive we were never engaged by Fifa or Concacaf in any meaningful way to discuss the issues of the TTFA.

3. The two reasons stated in Fifa’s subsequent official communication for setting up the normalisation committee are:

  • • ‘the absence of internal financial systems in the TTFA’ (Curiously the report that was generated by the new executive and handed to the mission was sent back verbatim to support this reason).
  • • ‘the historic debt’
Photo: Fifa president Gianni Infantino (right) and then TTFA president David John-Williams at a press conference at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva on 10 April 2017.
(Courtesy Sean Morrison/Wired868)

It must also be noted that it was the first time that any executive presented a plan to deal with the historic debt and yet that plan was never given a chance to materialise. We believe the imposition of the normalisation committee as punishment for our revelation of the previous administration’s financial impropriety, which was ignored by Fifa.

On 7 April 2020 we filed an appeal against Fifa’s decision with the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland. We subsequently withdrew the appeal when Fifa refused to pay its share of the Court fee, while, in our view, CAS itself demonstrated clear bias in favour of Fifa.

On 18 May we filed a complaint with the Trinidad and Tobago High Court seeking a permanent injunction against Fifa’s action and its normalisation committee. Fifa responded by filing a complaint challenging the jurisdiction of the local court.

On 13 August 2020 the local High Court decided in favour of TTFA, clearing the way for the Court to hear the substantive case regarding the normalisation committee.

Fifa has appealed this decision but on 26 August threatened suspension of TTFA unless the case in the local Court is withdrawn. The intention is clearly to place TTFA before the Congress on 18 September.

Photo: Fifa president Gianni Infantino makes a toast.

We do not understand how FIFA could remove the persons elected in November 2019, who they continually refer to as ‘former officers’, yet threaten to suspend the Association [if] these ‘former officers’ do not end their legal action.

We have written seven times to Fifa seeking mediation of this matter, without success. We have always been prepared to work with Fifa to resolve TTFA’s financial issues but Fifa must recognise the Association’s elected officers.

We view Fifa’s action as undemocratic, untimely and oppressive, given the fact that the newly elected administration elected had held office for less than four months. We insist, under the law of natural justice, on our right to be heard at the 18 September Congress.

We hereby appeal to all fair-minded Member Associations of Fifa to investigate Fifa’s decision in an effort to protect football democracy and fair play, since just like you we are members under the FIFA umbrella.

Yours sincerely

William Wallace,

TTFA president

Photo: TTFA president William Wallace (far right), general secretary Ramesh Ramdhan (second from right) and technical director Dion La Foucade (second from left) talk to Women’s U-20 Team manager Maylee Attin-Johnson during practice at the Ato Boldon Stadium training field in Couva on 7 February 2020.
(Copyright Daniel Prentice/Wired868)

Port of Spain, 31 August 2020

Dear Mr Wallace,

I am in receipt of a copy of a letter you have sent to the international football family. Your letter is a complete misrepresentation of the facts.

As stated in writing on numerous occasions by Fifa, you Mr Wallace, are not recognised as the Trinidad & Tobago Football Association (TTFA) President. The TTFA normalisation committee which I chair has been appointed by Fifa and is the only legitimate body entrusted to manage/run the affairs of the TTFA as recognised by Fifa, Concacaf and Fifa’s 211 Member Associations.

Furthermore, you are not authorised to use the TTFA letterhead or any other marking for any communication or representation.

Similar to all your correspondence and media interviews, your letter is an example of the campaign of misinformation and disinformation that you and a number of your colleagues from the removed TTFA Executive Committee, have undertaken from the inception of not only the normalisation process, but as evidenced from the first day you were in office.

Photo: Businessman Robert Hadad was appointed by Fifa as head of a normalisation committee in Trinidad and Tobago.

You have completely ignored the truth and your membership.

You have had every opportunity within the Fifa system to make a case and put forward your position, however you have voluntarily chosen not to do so and even went so far as withdrawing the matter from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

You know very well that it is a requirement of Fifa, Concacaf and TTFA Statutes that such disputes be managed through CAS, and you know very well the potential consequences for those who ignore important FIFA rules and regulations.

The tone and content of your letter is offensive, not only to the normalisation committee, but to the people of Trinidad and Tobago who are working extremely hard for the betterment of football in the country.

In recent weeks the players of our Senior Men’s National Team, our membership at large and other stakeholders have spoken out to you and your cohorts to request that you do the right thing and put Trinidad and Tobago football first. You have also ignored your own government who gave you the opportunity to speak.

Photo: Sport Minister Shamfa Cudjoe (right) meets the Venezuela football team before kick off against Trinidad and Tobago in the TTFA Youth Invitational Boys U-15 Tournament at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on 19 July 2019.
Venezuela won 4-0.
(Copyright Allan V Crane/CA-Images/Wired868)

Mr Wallace, the Fifa and Concacaf position on this matter is clear and unequivocal. You know very well the risks you are taking and, quite frankly, the time for your campaign of misinformation is over.

The choice is very clear: do the right thing prior to the deadline of September 16th established by Fifa or continue down your path and jeopardise the futures and opportunities for our national team players and coaches, and for football as a whole in our country.

Yours Respectfully,

Robert Hadad

Chairman

Trinidad and Tobago Football Association

More from Wired868
TTFA outlaws Toda-World FA and controversial ex-national youth coach, Marcelle

The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) has officially outlawed former national youth coach Terrence Marcelle and his club, Toda-World Read more

TTFA apologises to ticketed fans turned away from Canada match, promises free entry to Jamaica friendly

It turns out that the Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Under-20 Team were not the only party unprepared for last Read more

Wharfe coy on resignation; active TTPFL CEO campaigning for TTFA presidency

Aspiring Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president Colin Wharfe confirmed that he continues to serve as CEO of the Read more

TTPFL ExCo: Gate receipts split with clubs who retain marketing opportunities

“[…] The relevant TTPFL match day staff work with each designated home team to ensure standards and systems are met Read more

Dear Editor: Do TTPFL teams share in gates, sponsorship deals, etc?

“[…] Who is responsible for staffing the gates of the Tier 1 games, and the securing of the funds collected? Are Read more

Fifa confirms TTFA elections on 13 April; Dr Farrell to oversee process

The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) will hold its first presidential election in over four years on Saturday 13 Read more

About Letters to the Editor

Want to share your thoughts with Wired868? Email us at editor@wired868.com. Please keep your letter between 300 to 600 words and be sure to read it over first for typos and punctuation. We don't publish anonymously unless there is a good reason, such as an obvious threat of harassment or job loss.

Check Also

TTFA outlaws Toda-World FA and controversial ex-national youth coach, Marcelle

The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) has officially outlawed former national youth coach Terrence …

5 comments

  1. I am a tax paying citizen of Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and take umbrage to Hadad’s assertions that the tone and content of Wallace’s letter is offensive to me!!! How dare you Mr. Hadad claim any moral authority to speak on behalf of me, or any other citizen by extension, regardless of their position? So let me firstly clear up that misguided thought in your mind. Actually on the contrary, it is your tone and position that is offensive to me and many others, who have fought against neocolonialism as an independent republic of 58 years. Who elected you? What is your claim to fame in the development of football here TnT? Who’s interests are you really representing behind the scene? I’m so disappointed, even ashamed, how someone calling themselves a Trini can find pleasure in doing the colonial master’s bidding against a duly elected administration representing the grassroots people of this sovereign nation. Maybe you thought everyone was blinded by FIFA’s threat of suspension and seeing this as Santa Clause Infantino coming to the rescue our poor football here in TnT. Or maybe you thought you would get an easy windfall of euros for cleaning up FIFA’s mess with the Home of Football. We all are aware of the facts, so try your best when coming public via the media to speak only on your normalizing committee’s behalf or that of your ’employer’. Maybe you should concentrate on paying the coaching staff to alleviate their suffering during this Covid uncertainty. History will not forget but take note of the role you played in this case of abuse of power against the people of Trinidad and Tobago. Personally, I stand firmly and solidly behind Wallace’s administration position because they are standing up for justice. Today it maybe TTFA, tomorrow it may even be our sovereign government.

    • Heh heh heh! Wipe the blasted smile-smirk, maybe–off he face.

      One word of caution, though: it’s a lot more powerful, a lot more convincing if we see only the principle and not the personality. I think the business about “colonial masters” and “windfall of euros” may be true but tends to obfuscate rather than clarify.

      So keep telling him like it is, bro, but leave his race, his colour and his economic status out of it. We will hang his ass high without those.

  2. I really lost interest early in the piece when I read this concession from the would-be jefe of local football: “…you Mr Wallace, are not recognised as the Trinidad & Tobago Football Association (TTFA) President. “

    Not you are not (…) President but you are not recognised as (…) President.” Sounds to me like a major concession born of guilt.

    But I read on. And then there was this: “The tone and content of your letter is offensive (…) to the people of Trinidad and Tobago who are working extremely hard for the betterment of football in the country.”

    “How Wallace writing de man,” I asked myself, “in de man own letter?”

    I was genuinely confused. I still am. I ask myself, “Way de ass dis man come from? Wha he know bout Trinidad football?”

    I am still struggling to find an answer that makes sense…

    • What I want to know is if you nominated to run football, why you would have anything to do with someone not “recognized as the president”?

      Nothwithstanding the current case , they have shown the ability to pay staff and coaches. Just go ahead and run the football. For all intents and purposes the normalization committee is in charge. So what grounds is there to suspend TT football?

      Seems to me somebody else pulling the strings for some other reason

  3. ” Bow or we will crush you ” said FIFA and its appointee to the elected representatives of local football… What a farce and then the local Minister of Sport says : ” we support the big bully FIFA against the local people “… another farce… So much for ” democracy ” and ” fairness and fair play “…
    We have to just watch and hope that the Concacaf national associations do not bow to the wholesale bullying that is clearly going to be done to them to support FIFA…or will they cave in as they want the FIFA money?
    Mr George’s recent letter to the editor put it very squarely on the page…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.