Central FC players still owed $308k from glory years; is Sancho partly responsible for T&T football’s slide?

“[…] This matter stems from the period during which Mr Brent Sancho served as owner/chairman of the Central FC club, prior to the reported transition of operations to Mr Kieron Edwards.

“[…] These are not merely figures on paper. These are professional athletes and individuals whose careers, livelihoods, stability and trust in football administration have been negatively impacted for years.

“Situations such as these continue to contribute significantly to the stagnation of football development within Trinidad and Tobago…”

Thirteen Trinidad and Tobago footballers claim they are owed a combined $308,000 from Central FC, during a period in which the club won successive Pro League and Caribbean Club Championship titles. This is not an exhaustive list of the players being owed by Central during that period.

Their back-to-back regional wins in 2015 and 2016 represent the last times that a Trinidad and Tobago senior team triumphed in a Caribbean football competition. Was Central’s failure to compensate their players, as agreed, part of the two-island republic’s slide into regional anonymity?

The following Letter to the Editor, from an unnamed representative of the Central FC players, makes that case for Wired868:

To Whom It May Concern,

I write on behalf of several former players and stakeholders connected to Central FC regarding longstanding outstanding contractual payments which remain unresolved, despite repeated attempts to seek fair compensation.

This matter stems from the period during which Mr Brent Sancho served as owner/chairman of the club, prior to the reported transition of operations to Mr Kieron Edwards. (Editor’s Note: Edwards, a former club manager, has denied any role in the Central FC debt to their former players.)

It is our understanding that following Central FC’s TT Pro League success and the awarding of approximately TT$1 million in government prize funding, payments contractually owed to players and technical staff were not properly distributed in accordance with agreed contractual obligations.

We further understand that the then-head coach pursued legal action in relation to outstanding monies reportedly owed, including agreed percentages of competition winnings. While the coach was successful in court proceedings, recovery efforts have reportedly remained unresolved despite court intervention and the subsequent transfer of club operations.

The following outstanding sums remain a matter of concern:

• Darren Mitchell TT$33,000;
• Rundell Winchester TT$20,000;
• Jamal Jack TT$20,000;
• Keion Goodridge TT$15,000;
• Elijah Manners TT$20,000;
• Mickaeel Jem Gordon TT$30,000;
• Elton John TT$30,000;
• Sean De Silva TT$30,000;
• Kaydion Gabriel TT$40,000;
• Nathaniel Garcia TT$20,000;
• Marcus Joseph TT$15,000;
• Andre Ettienne TT$15,000;
• Nicholas Dillion TT$20,000.

These are not merely figures on paper. These are professional athletes and individuals whose careers, livelihoods, stability and trust in football administration have been negatively impacted for years.

Situations such as these continue to contribute significantly to the stagnation of football development within Trinidad and Tobago. It becomes increasingly difficult to encourage professionalism, player commitment, youth participation and international standards when players and staff are left without resolution on contractual matters long after services were rendered.

We therefore respectfully seek clarification on:

• What steps are being taken toward fair compensation?
• Who currently holds responsibility for resolving these outstanding obligations?
• How can all parties work collectively toward an amicable and realistic resolution?

Additionally, concern continues to grow surrounding the optics of individuals maintaining influential administrative positions within football governance while longstanding unresolved player compensation matters remain outstanding.

The purpose of this correspondence is not conflict, but accountability, fairness and resolution in the best interest of football and the people who dedicate their lives to it.

We remain open to respectful dialogue and constructive engagement toward achieving closure for all affected parties.

Editor’s Note: Wired868 tried unsuccessfully to reach former Central FC managing director Brent Sancho on the unpaid debts to his former players before publication. There are many more players who are also owed money from Central FC, beyond the 13 players listed here.

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