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“[…] My personal dealings with [Robert Hadad] have been nothing short of fruitless, frustrating and farcical. His communication is abysmal, erratic and, in the main, inconclusive, with a distinctly dismissive style of response.
“[…] Hadad’s distinct lack of empathy, concern and assistance in dealing with Dennis Lawrence’s valid claim for overdue monies owed was the ultimate proof to me that Hadad has no genuine love, understanding or indeed solution for T&T football…”
The following letter to the editor on normalisation committee chairman Robert Hadad’s supposed handling of the TTFA’s debt to former national coach, Dennis Lawrence, was submitted to Wired868 by Lawrence’s agent, Mike Berry:
Hadad was appointed head of Fifa’s normalisation committee in Trinidad and Tobago on 27 March 2020.
(Copyright Gary Jordan Photography ©2017)
What has the Fifa-appointed normalisation committee achieved since its appointment in March 2020? That is a very good question and worth addressing.
The NC chairman Robert Hadad’s initial mantra, which he told me, was based on his belief that honesty and competence were the two main qualities he looks for in people. Also he professed and stressed to be a big believer in transparency and open door management.
My personal dealings with him have been nothing short of fruitless, frustrating and farcical. His communication is abysmal, erratic and, in the main, inconclusive, with a distinctly dismissive style of response.
He was a massive supporter of Terry Fenwick and told me on several occasions that he had a great relationship with him and respected and liked him. He also thought Fenwick was honest and competent, which I must say surprised me at the time—given the well-documented series of misdemeanours and controversies attributed to him.
The photo was taken a day after Fenwick’s public altercation with Fuentes.
This is a guy that also stated on the Andre Baptiste radio show his gratitude to Peter Miller for being so ‘kind’ in his attitude and cooperation in regard to his surreptitious contract as TTFA marketing director. Miller has recently been revealed to be involved in several dubious business schemes.
Hadad’s distinct lack of empathy, concern and assistance in dealing with Dennis Lawrence’s valid claim for overdue monies owed was the ultimate proof to me that Hadad has no genuine love, understanding or indeed solution for T&T football.
As I say, what has he and his colleagues actually achieved since their appointment at a staggering cost of in excess of US$200,000 per annum?
Has transparency, debt reduction, sponsorship, media relations, technical development or planning improved under this unelected posse of inexperienced and old non-football business executives?
The answer in my opinion is an overwhelming no; and they have not even persuaded the T&T football stakeholders so far that the future is safe in their hands, with a contemptuous disregard for the idea of regular updates and involvement with these key individuals.
(Copyright Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
Hadad said once that he felt as though he was ‘drowning’, so it’s no surprise that the letters TT and NC are in TITANIC!
As NC chairman, he is about as conspicuous as Lord Lucan and his lack of communication and transparency is only exceeded by his brusque, ill-mannered and at times aggressive manner and conduct.
Indeed he recently admitted to Andre Baptiste that he is inclined to be ‘hotheaded’ at times and took delight in exposing this unattractive quirk of his personality, which does not exactly help in critical and sensitive negotiations with creditors, stakeholders, staff, coaches and other officials.
With less than a year to go to the culmination of his tenure, it will be interesting to see what the NC actually does achieve for the benefit of T&T football—which is way overdue for some positivity, direction and a board that has a credible plan to re-establish the nation as a force in the region and on the global stage.
People rightly accused previous boards of a lack of communication, transparency and media relations; but the NC has broken all records by not even having one comprehensive press conference during their tenure to reveal their plans, which is not only unacceptable but also unprofessional and verging on clandestine.
Come on Mr Hadad, isn’t about time for you to talk to the nation and tell them what you have improved? (Perhaps with a little less hotheadedness and a little more niceness and openness!)
Editor’s Note: Wired868 asked normalisation committee chairman Robert Hadad for comment on Mike Berry’s view on his behaviour during discussions regarding TTFA creditor Dennis Lawrence. Hadad had not responded up to the time of publication.
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If the board did the right thing, and was legit, Mr Hadad, would not have been appointment by FIFA, so fingers are pointing in the wrong direction
You are so piteously far off the mark, sir.
First, what did the Board do wrong? Secondly, no one is challenging FIFA’s right to appoint an incompetent; we’re just lamenting the fact that they have so little judgement as to actually do it.
Or is it worse? They have so little concern for us that they have the gumption to leave Hadad there in spite of the manifest truth that he does not know his ass from his elbow as far as football administration is concerned.
What a joke!
The TT football administration is a comprehensive and ongoing case of how NOT to manage an organisation.
It would be laughable if it did not result in such damage to the aspirations of young people who want to play football at the highest level and represent their country..
Hadad and co seem to be a case study also in The Peter Principle…but then again, maybe most of the recent TTFA administrations have been examples of this same principle..