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“[…] It is fair to say that the overwhelming majority of representatives were motivated by fear of Fifa’s threat to suspend TTFA.
“[…] We end our just action in order to avoid further victimisation of Trinidad and Tobago football. We have stood for Democracy, National Sovereignty and the rule of Law against Fifa’s bullying tactics, blatant intimidation and extortion…”
The following press statement, which confirms that the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association’s elected officers have ended their High Court case against Fifa—on the instructions of president William Wallace and first vice-president Clynt Taylor—was issued by second vice-president Susan Joseph-Warrick, third vice-president Joseph Sam Phillip and United TTFA members Anthony Harford and Keith Look Loy:
(Copyright AP Photo/Michael Probst)
On Tuesday 22 September, United TTFA met TTFA members to discuss Fifa’s second deadline for ending our challenge to its normalisation committee on Wednesday 23.
Of the participating member representatives, twenty one called on United TTFA to end its legal challenge to Fifa, while eight were in favour of it being continued and three abstained. We, the signatories, accept this call.
It is fair to say that the overwhelming majority of representatives were motivated by fear of Fifa’s threat to suspend TTFA. Indeed, several who voted to have the legal case withdrawn did so while openly stating their support for the principles on which United TTFA stood against Fifa.
This fear was exacerbated by the imminent draw for the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup, to be held on 28 September, from which Trinidad and Tobago would be excluded if we were to be suspended by Fifa. A ‘convenient’ development for Fifa.
The signatories to this statement have decided to follow the clear wish of the membership. President William Wallace and 1st vice-president Clynt Taylor have advised us that they have instructed our legal representatives to withdraw the High Court claim against Fifa.
(Courtesy TTFA Media/Allan V Crane)
On taking office the Wallace administration’s immediate priorities were: 1) debt service; 2) internal restructuring and reform; 3) activation of all national teams; 4) introduction of youth, coach and administrator development programmes; 5) holding the former administration to account.
Our four months in office saw significant strides in most of these areas.
The imposition of Fifa’s Normalisation Committee aborted the progress so quickly achieved. We reiterate our view that this was a move intended to suppress the revelation of financial mismanagement and malfeasance by the former TTFA president, to which FIFA turned a blind eye.
The unexpected Mark Bassant documentary, ‘TTFA’s Secret Panama Trail’ has stymied Fifa’s self-interested plan and placed the matter squarely before the public and the police.
United TTFA surprised Fifa and everyone else by resisting Fifa in the local court. Twice now, the High Court has ruled in favour of United TTFA and the rule of Law in Trinidad and Tobago, which has immensely frustrated bullying Fifa.
Infantino was the UEFA general secretary at the time and campaigning for John-Williams’ support at the Fifa election.
(Courtesy TTFA Media)
Importantly, Justice Carol Gobin ruled that the High Court of Trinidad and Tobago has proper jurisdiction over the dispute between the parties. Fifa’s frustration with our court, which it said it would never accept, peaked in its failure—by the deadline of Friday 18 September—to file a defence in the High Court against United TTFA’s claim that Fifa has no authority to remove the Wallace administration.
Fifa has no defence so it took its ball and went home.
The High Court would hear that case on 9 October and would award a default judgment that would confirm the Wallace administration in office. Now Fifa, in a remarkable display of double standards, demands United TTFA drop our already won case in the High Court while it has filed a case against us in the Appeal Court.
In its struggle for justice, United TTFA made seven unsuccessful attempts to hold talks with Fifa between March and September. When we began this journey we had majority support from a broad cross section of football—regional associations, the women’s and schools leagues. We thank all who donated finance to support our legal fees.
The second Fifa deadline and the desire to participate in the draw for the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup have changed the balance of power. People see Concacaf’s move but fear Fifa’s big stick and missing the tournament.
(via TTFA Media)
We end our just action in order to avoid further victimisation of Trinidad and Tobago football. We have stood for Democracy, National Sovereignty and the rule of Law against Fifa’s bullying tactics, blatant intimidation and extortion. We leave without fear of Fifa knowing that:
- Trinidad and Tobago Law rules supreme in our sovereign state and the jurisdiction of our courts is established;
- The legitimacy of the Wallace administration was upheld as Fifa was forced to flee the local court;
- The last administration is now being held to account;
- Change will inevitably come to the monopoly of power granted to Fifa by its member associations;
That said, we caution Trinidad and Tobago that the owners of football have voluntarily agreed to cede the right to govern ourselves to Fifa. We caution that Fifa is now and hereafter the final arbiter of who will be the government of local football.
This makes a sham of our sovereignty. It may not matter to some, but our football has been colonised.
We call on our supporters to be vigilant and we wish TTFA the best of success.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/TTFA Media)
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We need to pay close attention to the public utterances of those that speak out against the actions of the United TTFA in this court matter.
Of note is that sancho character that is attempting to present himself as though he is sensible… Ala CJ Archie.. You are not!
The members of the TTFA have clearly shown that they did not ever listen to or hear Bob Marley’s ” Redemption Song ” as they have not ” freed themselves from mental slavery “… They should all hang their head in shame and all resign as being the leadership of Trinidad and Tobago football..
They have all proven to the world that principle can be bought. or Bullied into submission..
The right decision may not be popular and the popular decision may not be right but in the end, this was for the continuation of football that we all crave. However, in the interest of justice, the most prudent course of action in my humble opinion is to engage the services of the proven results provider in the FBI.
Whilst I am a national residing in the US and may have an inherent bias, the Bassant Report is most telling and the TT Police Service’s ineptitude will be equallly alarming. Thus, it is a no brainer to ask the US Federal Bureau of Investigators to delve into the matter like the way they revealed massive corruption with Blatter, JAW, Chuck Glazer, et al.
We are well within the statutes of limitations and for those who contend that this may be outside of the jurisdiction of the FBI, if USD Wire Transfers are made from Trinidad then they must be routed through a US Intermediary Bank. This means the FBI can now have a look.
This solicitation and intervention will also send shivers down the spine of Infantino who is already in the hot seat with Swiss officials. Mosengo, DJW and their cohorts will also be forced to defend themselves as the FBI follows the money trail.
If their hands are clean then they will be exonerated in the court of public opinion and absolved of all wrongdoing. If not then the FBI will bring greater global visibility and subsequent action to mitigate this allegedly rampant pilferage going on unfettered.
Ideally, if wishes came true, the omnipotent FIFA not wanting to be again be exposed this time by a pea-sized nation and to save face they will settle all fiduciary matters on the TTFA’s behalf.
It is time for TTFA to be rid of corruption, past regime failures and soaring debt akin to the WICB. Perhaps a name change may also help remove the stigma and grant T&T Football a clean slate going forward.
Well if it is any consolation not only TTFA is colonized since all countries have to abide by the FIFA Statutes. So what would happen to the clause in the TTFA Statutes concerning removal of officers? I tip my hat to the United TTFA for maybe accepting that the ‘good’ of football is probably more important at this time than their ‘reputation’ as administrators. But I do believe that if they feel strongly about the ‘reasons’ as they put it for their removal, and the CAS option is still open, then they should be willing to take their fight there. And all those who feel in our hearts that the decision of installing a ‘Normalisation Committee” was unjust should be financially willing to assist once we can, in that cause. Now it is time for the players to focus on football so we can at least become the ‘big dogs’ of the Caribbean again. And who knows the FIFA might be willing to help solve the massive debt as they more than likely would not want their Committee to fail.
I believe you have a couple points that are a bit off…
The TTFA has indeed been colonised in a very similar way to the Crown Colony system, not in the superficial manner you attached to the statement… You see, massa Fifa, take the local creole European, and put him to handle the money. The lil black-head chickens doh know bout managing payables, so the expert in buying and selling for a profit from motherland lineage swooped in to help those incompetent lesser souls in the United TTFA executive.
Now is the time to watch ALL those that are in the normalisation committee, that openly support it, and who push for it and put it in place, attempt to explain why they should not make a jail!!!!!
And to your assertion that footballers are now going to focus on football, that’s laughable… That ship sail long time… Now footballers and coaches looking for dey moreneeee… Footballers would go back to focusing on football when the clowns that turned it into a circus leave d scene… Hint hint, sancho, awai, shabazz, errol baptise and i95, Lawrence, DJW, and the minister of sport, take down your tent!!!!
“We caution that Fifa is now and hereafter the final arbiter of who will be the government of local football.
This makes a sham of our sovereignty. It may not matter to some, but our football has been colonised”
The Honorable Ms Shamfa Cudjoe, you told Mr Wallace that “head not make to wear hat alone”
You were not concerned that you were openly supporting the colonisation of one of the biggest sports in our country. I trust that you have taken off your clown hat now…. Because what is coming next would not be comfortable for the defenders of DJW… My advice to the minster is to throw DJW under the bus, doh say nobody didn’t tell yuh…. OK