Wired868 Wired868 for smart sport news and opinion
The Ministry of Sport was forced into a rescue operation today as two former Trinidad and Tobago national youth team players, Jean-Luc Rochford and Dwight Quintero, were among three footballers left alone in a hotel in London while their contingent moved on to trials in Turkey.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
The third player, Keon Russell, is a former Caledonia AIA employee while Rochford and Quintero are both free agents but represented Central FC in Pro League action last season.
All three left Trinidad for Turkey with Dion Sosa, an unregistered local football agent, and close to a dozen other players.
However, once in London, Quintero, Rochford and Russell were allegedly informed that there was no plane ticket to take them on Turkey.
Eventually, they made their way to Trinidad and Tobago’s High Commission in London where a SOS was put through to Sport Minister Brent Sancho.
“I was contacted this morning by a lady named Keisha Rochford-Hawkins from the Consulate in London, who said that they had three players there who were stranded,” Sancho told Wired868. “I didn’t get the nitty gritty of the situation. But, from what I understand, a party left for London on a broken ticket to Turkey.
“Some of the members went on and these stayed waiting for help and they eventually contacted the consulate… So I am trying to assist.”
(Courtesy Allan V. Crane/ Wired868)
Wired868 tried to contact Sosa by What’s App and email but was unable to reach him.
By the end of the day, the Sport Ministry did book plane tickets from London to Turkey. But, in the confusion, they ended up a ticket short.
Nathalie Fournillier, Quintero’s aunt, said her nephew contacted her for help this morning. At the time, Quintero and Rochford were together but they could not find Russell and thought he had left them since he was supposedly familiar with London.
Fournillier convinced Sancho that there were only two players in need of help, only to discover later that Russell had resurfaced.
Sancho vowed to do all he can to get a ticket for Russell tomorrow. Eid festivities have apparently complicated travel to Turkey.
Fournillier explained that the contingent, led by Sosa, arrived in London on Thursday morning. However, Quintero, Rochford and Russell were allegedly told that, due to financial issues, there was no ticket to take them to Turkey and Sosa would go ahead with the other players and make the necessary arrangements from there.
Paul, who is a free agent, is one of several trialists who left for Turkey with agent Dion Sosa.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
The group of players are due to play three practice matches against European clubs, who are in their pre-season, with the hope of catching the eye and being signed or invited for formal trials.
Fournillier said each player was asked to pay $25,000 for airfare and accommodation, although most did not have the full amount and there were several fund-raising initiatives.
Quintero and Rochford, who roomed together, had not heard from Sosa as they neared the 11 am check-out time.
In Trinidad, Quintero’s mother and relatives were in tears.
“I had a lot of calls from my sisters this morning while I was at work,” said Fournillier, who lives in the United States, “and I got messages saying to call as soon as possible, so I got worried.
“When I called, I was told my nephew (Quintero) was left behind in London with two other players and Sosa and the others went ahead to Turkey.
“It took me a while to wrap my head around that because I felt it must have been a huge mistake.”
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Quintero is a former National Under-20 striker and was on the current Under-23 squad, although he missed the Olympic qualifiers and 2015 Pan American Games due to the team’s managerial issues.
Rochford, who represented Trinidad and Tobago at the 2009 Under-20 and 2007 Under-17 World Youth Cups, contacted a relative who works at the High Commission in London and they made their way there for help.
That relative, Keisha Rochford-Hawkins, was able to pay for another night’s stay at a hotel for the players and give them other assistance.
Fournillier said she eventually got a phone call through to Sosa in Turkey and he allegedly admitted that he did not inform the players beforehand about their travel issues.
“He said he didn’t want to let the ticket issue interfere with the trip after they had (done so much work),” said Fournillier. “He asked me if I could work on sponsors to get them plane tickets for Turkey… He said there was still money tied up by sponsors and, once he got back into Trinidad, he would honour all debts.”
Sancho agreed to help.
Sancho is a former World Cup 2006 player and CEO of local Pro League club, Central FC.
(Courtesy SPORTT)
The Sport Minister is a former chairman at Central FC, which employed Quintero and Rochford. However, neither player is under contract while the club is not entitled to any developmental fee for Rochford, since he has already passed his 23rd birthday.
Sancho, who was heavily criticised by Sosa during Levi Garcia’s transfer to Netherlands top flight club club AZ, said he was only interested in helping young players in a time of need.
“I’ve been in that situation before and it is not a nice feeling,” said Sancho, who was a former Scotland Premier League and England League One defender. “It happened when I left Ross County and an agent took me to a trial in Romania. And when I didn’t sign, they yanked my return ticket and I was stranded for a couple of days…
“I am not involved with Central with my new portfolio. But these are young men in a jam and guys I know… So I cannot just leave them there.”
Fournillier said she and Rochford’s mother did their best to lift the boys’ spirits and get them in the right frame of mind for what lies ahead.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
“I told them that God never lets adversity affect his children unless he knows something good is going to come out of it,” said Fournillier. “They must not be disheartened and they have to forge forward and finish what they started by any means necessary. Whatever drama plays out, keep your eyes on the prize.
“Jean-Luc’s mom also sent them a very inspirational message… They were a bit fearful at one point but they are in really good spirits now.
“They want to say ‘thank you’ to Brent (Sancho) for reaching out to help them.”
Despite the chaos, Sancho commended Sosa for his efforts in trying to find professional deals for local players in Europe.
“I applaud the efforts of Sosa and company for trying to find greener pastures for our players,” said Sancho, “although he obviously fell short in his attempts.”
Adams died on 30 December 2013 after failing to recover from a heart attack.
(Courtesy Allan V. Crane/Wired868)
Dion Sosa’s trialists: Raheem Belgrave, Curtis Gonzales, Dario Holmes, Weslie John, Jelani Peters, Keon Russell, Jamel Farell, Leon Whyle, Leston Paul, Jean-Luc Rochford, Duane Muckette, Keane McIvor, Xavier Rajpaul, Micah Lewis, Qian Grosvenor, Phillip Borde, Dwight Quintero and Brent Sam.
New Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president Kieron “Bo” Edwards is set to be installed as technical and development Read more
The Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Under-20 team got a lesson in humility at the Larry Gomes Stadium yesterday, as Read more
Love and Football, a charity football match established by Trinidad and Tobago football stars Kevin Molino and Sheldon Bateau in Read more
Defence Force central defender Justin “Shiggy” Garcia was named the Player of the Season for the inaugural TT Premier Football Read more
Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team head coach Angus Eve blamed a combination of tired legs, astroturf, TTPFL inactivity Read more
AC Port of Spain were made to settle for a point at the Hasely Crawford Stadium tonight, as they closed Read more
Carlos Lee, I don’t believe the Minister knows anybody in the TNT High Commission in London. Therefore, I surmise that they thought that the best Ministry to contact would be Sport, being that we’re dealing with footballers. As for PR, I’m certain that after the abuse posted right here over the last few months, the last person Sancho would select for a PR stunt would be Mr Sosa.
Wait. Trini citizens go to the TNT High Commission in London for assistance and they (High Commission) had in turn to contact another ministry for assistance? Seriously? Then what the hell is the remit of the TNT High Commission in London? Seems like this is all a PR stunt for Brent and the Ministry of Sport. Must be an election year.
This is like selling all that you have and going to the US to look for work. Don’t have a job or place to stay just some family member telling you to come up and try your luck.
that’s not a misunderstanding it bad planning and worse yet the man is not even a license FIFA agent….WOW and he’s one who always bashing the TTFA, Tim Kee and everyone esle…….as they say don’t throw stones when he have glass windows….I hope everything workout for those guys…..just saying!
Ok ok thanks
He responded in another thread.
Guys, let us wait and hear what Sosa has to say before judging, hopefully he will respond soon. What I do know is that he was expecting some funding tobpull thri and was hoping funds would have been Used to pay for tickets by the time the guys got to London. The flights for the guys were booked, but got cancelled due to lack of payment. I truly think that the option was one of faith, that the ppl that said they would help would pull thru and pay for the tickets, sp by the time the guys got to London, all the would be good. I do know that Sosa really triwd his best to get as much financial help as possible to assist all the players. So, please let us wait and hear what he says, I too am very interested to hear.
Shambles
I didn’t know all this happened ?
I feeling it for those players…no wonder the Caribbean refers to us as tricky-dadians
Would really like to hear Dion Sosa’s explanation here.
Here, he said that he was doing this venture without the European agent he usually works with: http://wired868.com/2015/07/03/fundraiser-for-europe-bound-trialists-18-tt-players-try-their-luck/
Hmmmm
Oh wow…
In this case Brent Bennett, he did not operate with the European agent. I only became aware of that fact recently
It is true that we have not heard from Sosa. At the same time, we have heard from other parties involved in this matter.
I’ve just spoken to the three players who are in a hotel room in London pooling their resources and trying to keep their spirits up. I will do an update soon.
So what you telling me Dion leave de men and them nah man.
Dis is total shit
things that make u go uh huh
Exactly Chabeth.
No words smh
Well this needs to be regulated because we can’t just have football scouts treating this profession like the international human trafficking trade.
U want to give the want to give the man and woman football the money but u giving money for Sosa to send men on a ride
Vernal – it depends on the League & the Club regarding Agents. Outside of the top 4 European Leagues, USA, Japan & Australia…. I don’t think many clubs are stringent on agents.
If the trials are in Turkey and you can’t get all the way to Turkey, what’s the point of going to London?
I am supposing that sh*t happens.. Let’s hear what the man has to say before we condemn
Praise God Brent Sancho is mature enough to ignore the negatives that have been pelt in his way by this individual and study athletes first and with his comments I think he maybe was being sacarstic
…he (Sancho) has no choice… comes with the ‘protocol’ in this present third world climate….
3 young men were left in a foreign country to survive for themselves. Whatever the intentions, this is borderline neglect. I too am waiting on an explanation of the events
Interesting what goes around comes around …..
We do know that three young men were left in London with no money so regardless of the reason, that was unacceptable Prince. I am sure he will have a story to tell. I am equally sure that were it my child, I wouldn’t care.
I await all sides of this story…
This is very worrying
Dion never presents himself as an agent. He is a local scout working with a European agent.
Why is Brent sancho still commending Dion when it is clear that what he did was wrong. Taking players to London and not knowing how they will all get to turkey is madness. Leaving any of them back to fend for themselves is beyond madness. If you cannot do the thing properly then don’t donut at all. I want to see what would happen if any of them get a contract.
SMH!!
Oh my…..this thread could get interesting
typical scamp showing he colours … steups .. only hungry fuh money, that he do dem that shit . sry to hear tht happen to dem yes…. hope they learn to never trust a unlicensed money hungry scamp
typical from a scamp
“All three left Trinidad for Turkey with Dion Sosa, an unregistered local football agent, and close to a dozen other players.”
Were they aware that Dion Sosa is unregistered?
Is it legal for unregistered agents to operate in Trinidad?
What is the penalty for agents to operate without registration in Trinidad and Tobago?
What action is going to be taken against Dion Sosa for this?
Was about to say the same thing Ken…be interested in hearing what he has to say when he resurfaces.
Serious!?
I don’t like to see taxpayers’ funds used in this manner but I find Dion Sosa’s behaviour completely unacceptable. Always have talk and acting as though he alone has players’ interest at heart and here he is acting like the TTFA leaving young men stranded with no money in London. And it seems he knew in advance they would be stranded. How does a man do that to his charges is beyond me. If that was my child, star boi would be well advised to stay in Turkey for his health.
So am I
I’ll await Dion Sosa’s response
This isn’t good
Oh boy…this isn’t good
Smh
Check your messenger
how does this crap happen ? … get me those boys’ numbers Sheldon
Always remember people Trials and Tribulations live in the same house .