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The Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) executive committee will lean on the Ministry of Education to address the issue of St Benedict’s College registration of star player, Derrel “Zoom Zoom” Garcia.
SSFL president Merere Gonzales confirmed today the schools governing body is collaborating with the government on the matter—but declined to give further details.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868
Garcia’s return to school, after a year spent in Spain and the United States pursuing his dream to turn pro, prompted immediate questions by football fans about whether St Benedict’s followed the proper process.
Gonzales, in a previous interview, said the SSFL executive did not need a formal process to act and could use its own initiative.
Garcia represented St Benedict’s for the first time in the 2024 Premier Division season on Wednesday 2 October 2024. And, after his hattrick against Fatima College on Saturday 5 October, sparked a lively discussion in the social media with regards to reassimilation of a student who spent more than a term out of school.
More than three weeks later, Wired868 published findings from two officials from the Ministry of Education which alleged that Garcia was not a valid student and recommended disciplinary action against St Benedict’s principal Gregory Quan Kep.
The probe, conducted by the pair of public servants, was shared internally—in writing—on Wednesday 16 October.
The SSFL reached out to the MoE after the publication of Wired868’s story.
Gonzales refused to answer questions on why he, as president, and his executive committee did not seek to protect the integrity and reputation of the league by doing their own checks, as soon as the high-profile player returned to the SSFL’s playing fields.
“Although I understand, the media and unnecessary sensationalism still remains an issue with me,” stated Gonzales, in a written response. “Nevertheless, this matter is being addressed by both (sic) the MoE in collaboration with the SSFL. Have a safe, productive and enjoyable day.”
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868
Gonzales declined further comment.
At present, St Benedict’s, one of just two unbeaten Premier Division schools, are six points clear at the top of the table. The “La Romaine Lions” need one win from their two remaining matches against second-from-bottom Miracle Ministries Pentecostal High School and 11th place St Mary’s College to confirm their second ever Premier Division title.
Their coronation may now depend on what information the Ministry of Education shares with the SSFL.
The SSFL is also due to rule on two matters involving newly promoted St Augustine Secondary, who faced protests over the use of an allegedly unregistered player, Shumba Cudjoe, and a suspended player, Aaden Maharaj.
St Augustine lost 1-0 but could face further sanctions as Cudjoe was ruled to be improperly registered at the time.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868
The SSFL Disciplinary Committee ruled that St Augustine, led by coach and maths teacher Tacuma Jones, played Cudjoe before he was registered and so should forfeit all matches involving the player.
The decision would overturn the “Green Machine’s” win over St Anthony’s College and draw with Signal Hill Secondary, as well as widen the margin of their defeats to Fatima College and St Mary’s College respectively.
St Augustine appealed and the matter is expected to be decided this week.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868
There was also a protest by East Mucurapo Secondary due to St Augustine’s use of Maharaj on Wednesday 9 October. The Green Machine left back was booked in his two previous outings but still played in their 3-0 win over Mucurapo.
SSFL rules are that any player who is booked in consecutive matches must automatically serve a one-match suspension.
At present, St Augustine are seventh in the 16-team standings with 20 points from their 12 games.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868
Fourteen points should guarantee teams safety from relegation. However, if both protests go against them, the Green Machine would be deducted seven points with an accompanying hit in their goal differential column—and they will drop to 11th place with 13 points.
St Augustine’s last three games this season are: Presentation College (San Fernando), Malick Secondary, and Queen’s Royal College. Just one point from those outings would be enough to keep the former east powerhouses in the top flight, even if they lose in the boardroom.
As it stands, the Garcia ruling would be much more impactful on the 2024 season.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868
SSFL Premier Division fixtures
(Sat 26 Oct)
Naparima College v St Anthony’s College, 3.30pm, Lewis Street;
St Augustine Secondary v Presentation College (San F’do), 4pm, Warren Street;
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868
(Tue 29 Oct)
Arima North Secondary v Fatima College, 3.30pm, Arima Velodrome;
Naparima College v San Juan North, 3.30pm, Lewis Street;
East Mucurapo Secondary v Queen’s Royal College, 3.30pm, Mucurapo Road;
Malick Secondary v St Augustine Secondary, 3.30pm, Serpentine Road;
Speyside High v St Mary’s College, 3.30pm, Speyside;
St Anthony’s College v Signal Hill Secondary, 3.30pm, Westmoorings;
St Benedict’s College v Miracle Ministries PHS, 3.30pm, Mahaica Sporting Complex;
Trinity College East v Presentation (San F’do), 3.30pm, Trincity;
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868
(Fri 1 Nov)
Presentation (San F’do) v Naparima College, 3.30pm, Mannie Ramjohn Stadium;
Fatima College v Malick Secondary, 3.30pm, Mucurapo Road;
St Mary’s College v St Benedict’s College, 3.30pm, Serpentine Road;
San Juan North v St Anthony’s College, 3.30pm, Bourg Mulatrasse;
Arima North Secondary v Speyside High, 3.30pm, Arima Velodrome;
Miracle Ministries PHS v Trinity College East, 3.30pm, Edinburgh 500;
Signal Hill Secondary v East Mucurapo Secondary, 3.30pm, Signal Hill;
St Augustine Secondary v Queen’s Royal College, 3.30pm, Warren Street;
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868
Matches to be rescheduled
East Mucurapo Secondary v Speyside Secondary, 3.30pm, Mucurapo Road;
Speyside High v Signal Hill Secondary, 3.30pm, Speyside;
Signal Hill Secondary v Arima North Secondary, 3.30pm, Signal Hill.
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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.
