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“[…] The pattern is familiar: someone speaks up, gets labelled, and only later do we come to understand the weight of what they tried to reveal.
“To be clear, I am not accusing anyone currently under a safeguarding ban of criminal behaviour. That is not my claim.
“My point is this: dismissing concerns with the word disgruntled is a dangerous reflex. It frames a person’s courage to speak out as mere bitterness or personal vendetta…”
Photo: The 18.
The following Letter to the Editor, in response to concerns that the TTFA’s safeguarding policy might now be weaponised, was submitted to Wired868 by Dennis Tayé Allen, the managing director of TTGameplan:
The letter published under the headline, Misuse of safeguarding mechanisms can stain coach’s career, used the word ‘disgruntled’ four times.
Does the writer, ‘Brendon, a football fan’, have evidence to support that premise?
For all I can recall, many highly regarded figures in sport and authority circles were once publicly celebrated—until someone, often dismissed as disgruntled, dared to raise their voice about something deeply wrong.
The pattern is familiar: someone speaks up, gets labelled, and only later do we come to understand the weight of what they tried to reveal.
To be clear, I am not accusing anyone currently under a safeguarding ban of criminal behaviour. That is not my claim.
My point is this: dismissing concerns with the word disgruntled is a dangerous reflex. It frames a person’s courage to speak out as mere bitterness or personal vendetta.
(via FA.)
History has taught us to pay closer attention to that label, because it’s often used to silence—not to seek truth.
And yet, after reading volumes of letters and commentary on this issue, I notice a glaring absence: almost no one is taking seriously the possibility that the complaint, or the person behind it, might be acting in good faith.
That the TTFA’s Safeguarding mechanisms exist for a reason. That those processes, as imperfect as they may be, are there to protect the vulnerable.
As someone who advocates loudly for children, youth, and athlete rights, I’ve learned not to judge motives—only to follow the facts.
And here’s what we know: an official arm of the TTFA issued a ban, restricting an individual from interacting with youth. That ban remains in effect as I write this. That is not speculation. That is a matter of record.
It’s easy to look back on major scandals and see them clearly—but in the moment, they always looked messy, uncomfortable, inconvenient.
Geddert, who once coached Trinidad and Tobago gymnast Thema Williams, committed suicided in February 2021–after being charged with 24 felonies in connection with the abuse of young gymnasts.
Photo: Fox Sports Australia.
The kids involved weren’t abducted. Their parents often trusted the adults around them. The signs weren’t neon.
And only when something didn’t sit right—only when someone finally asked the awkward question—did the truth begin to surface.
So when someone raises a concern, ‘disgruntled’ or not, maybe we should resist the urge to scoff. Maybe we should listen a little longer.
Those kids’ parents were none the wiser… till they became disgruntled.
“[…] Under Fifa’s Code of Conduct and Disciplinary Code, the use of profanity or degrading language by coaches can constitute Read more
Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) Safeguarding manager Gary St Rose has defended the integrity of the local body’s operation Read more
“[…] You’d be lucky to find five kids who can name five national players they admire. The conversations have vanished. Read more
“[…] The administration should set in place a programme to begin teaching the youngsters the technical aspects of the game. Read more
“[…] As previously mentioned, the goal of Fifa’s safeguarding efforts is to create an environment that includes preventative measures, educational Read more
There will be a final push for places in the 2025 Republic Bank National Youth Football League (RBNYFL) quarterfinal round Read more
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Rather than dismissing complaints from parents as simply the result of disgruntlement, we must consider the broader picture, including the potential for abuse by parents themselves. According to factual data, over 40% of youth sports involve incidents of abuse. It’s a dangerous path to downplay these concerns as just a parent’s frustration—it’s far more complex and involves a range of factors within these environments. We must approach every complaint with a serious, thorough investigation to ensure the safety and well-being of the children involved.
Thank you WIRED868 for allowing this counterpoint to be shared in the wild
DTA