DJW launches CFU manifesto amidst hints of UEFA interference in Caribbean election

Suspicions that CONCACAF and UEFA have lent to their support to one of three candidates in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) election race might harden after presidential candidate David John-Williams released his manifesto, which suggested that his proposed Caribbean Professional Football League (CPFL) is an integral part of his bid and it is his intention to sign a MOU with UEFA, once elected.

The CPFL competition, which was projected to start in 2018, featured prominently in three separate sections of John-Williams’ CFU manifesto in which he sought to distinguish himself from incumbent president Gordon Derrick and challenger Hillaren Frederick before the 23 July 2016 election in Miami.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president David John-Williams (centre) presents then Naparima College attacker Jarred Dass with his 2015 National Intercol medal. (Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president David John-Williams (centre) presents then Naparima College attacker Jarred Dass with his 2015 National Intercol medal.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)

The CPFL, according to John-Williams’ eye-raising projections, should provide “guaranteed income and prize money” of US$28.3 million to its 14 clubs over an initial three year period.

CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani pledged to help fund John-Williams’ two day CPFL workshop, which was held in Port of Spain on 17 and 18 June and featured 17 Caribbean delegates. The presidential candidate also claimed to have financial support from UEFA and suggested that the European football body could certify coaches and lift the standard of regional refereeing and football administration.


On the back of that CPFL meeting, John-Williams, who also owns local professional club W Connection, officially launched his CFU presidential campaign a week later.

The Trinidad and Tobago football official’s formal European ties go back to 27 January 2016 when he pledged his support for then UEFA general secretary and current FIFA president Gianni Infantino—without consultation with the TTFA board of directors.

There were allegations then that Infantino might repay the favour by helping John-Williams’ Caribbean ambitions, although the Trinidadian is just seven months into a controversial term as local football president.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president David John-Williams and new FIFA president Gianni Infantino at the TTFA headquarters on 27 January 2016. Infantino was the UEFA general secretary at the time. (Courtesy TTFA Media)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president David John-Williams and new FIFA president Gianni Infantino at the TTFA headquarters on 27 January 2016.
Infantino was the UEFA general secretary at the time.
(Courtesy TTFA Media)

The TTFA president was also accused by Derrick of helping Montagliani split Caribbean votes, so as to ensure that the Canadian administrator was elected as CONCACAF president on 12 May 2016.

Derrick has accused senior football officials, including FIFA vice-president Sunil Gulati, of systematically trying to weaken the Caribbean and suggested that John-Williams was part of that plan.

FIFA controversially barred Derrick, who is also the current general secretary of the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association (ABFA), from contesting the CONCACAF presidency on ethical grounds. The Antiguan has since appealed to CAS.

Derrick claimed he was not invited to the CPFL workshop and complained to Montagliani that CONCACAF’s decision to fund a Caribbean project which excluded the CFU president was disrespectful at best.

“CONCACAF will continue to support football activities of any Member Association upon request,” Montagliani retorted, “assuming the request is reasonable, financially sustainable and within our authority… In fact, supporting this effort is what we are supposed to do.”


Photo: CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani.
Photo: CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani.

While John-Williams was able to offer airline and ground travel, two nights accommodation at the Marriott and meals to Caribbean football officials, the CFU—which is still trying to escape the financial carnage of Jack Warner’s legacy—does not even have the funds to hold its congress in the Caribbean.

In John-Williams’ CFU manifesto, he vowed to:

Develop, conduct, and sustain the financial affairs of the CFU to the highest professional and ethical standards;

Improve the credibility and image of The Caribbean Football Union through inclusive and collaborative leadership and transparency;

[Deliver] good governance [and] a robust adherence to the updated statues;

[Ensure] the immediate appointments for the necessary sub-committees [and] the proper and efficient functioning of these committees [so as to restore] stakeholder and corporate confidence in the CFU.

Yet, ironically, John-Williams appeared to breach the Trinidad and Tobago’s football statutes in his CFU launch.

Photo: W Connection owner David John-Williams (second from left), coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier (centre) and defender Joel Russell (far left) say a prayer of thanks after securing the 2013/14 Pro League trophy at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva. (Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Photo: W Connection owner David John-Williams (second from left), coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier (centre) and defender Joel Russell (far left) say a prayer of thanks after securing the 2013/14 Pro League trophy at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)

He invoiced the local football body for expenses related to his CPFL meeting in Port of Spain and, in a radio show on I95.5FM last Thursday, admitted to using TTFA funds to pay several bills without the permission of the TTFA board of directors.

He countered that he would repay the debt once CONCACAF and UEFA reimbursed him. But it appeared to be a clear violation of the local football constitution.

Article 20.2 states: “The board of directors is the executive body [of the TTFA].”

And Article 36 (p) insists that only the board of directors “shall have the power to mortgage, pledge or otherwise create a security over any property of the TTFA, provided that: the security has been concluded in order to satisfy an urgent contractual obligation of the TTFA; the security does not surpass the amount of $1,000,000 (TTD).”

To date, John-Williams still has not officially informed the local board about the CPFL meeting, although he gave his presentation to the Caribbean delegates in front of a TTFA banner.

At the TTFA president’s side for his address was Morvant Caledonia United co-founder and compatriot Jamaal Shabazz who, bizarrely, wore a TTFA jacket, jersey and track pants although, at present, he is the Guyana National Senior Team head coach.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president David John-Williams (right) address Caribbean Football Union delegates during his CPFL meeting at the Marriott Hotel in Port of Spain on 17 and 18 June 2016. Guyana National Senior Team coach Jamaal Shabazz is at his side in full TTFA gear.
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president David John-Williams (right) address Caribbean Football Union delegates during his CPFL meeting at the Marriott Hotel in Port of Spain on 17 and 18 June 2016.
Guyana National Senior Team coach Jamaal Shabazz is at his side in full TTFA gear.

John-Williams, who also wowed local football delegates with a glossy manifesto before the controversial and possibly illegitimate TTFA election on 29 November 2015, said his focus as CFU president will be:

Engagement: To ensure the development of the game at all levels with special emphasis on increasing the number of boys and girls getting the opportunity to play this ‘“beautiful game” at a professional level in the Caribbean;

Expansion: To increase opportunities in the region to play professionally by the implementation of the Caribbean Professional Football League in the shortest possible time;

Education: To facilitate persons in successfully fulfilling a professional career in the
game be it at playing, administrating, coaching, refereeing or any other area of football;

Excellence: To improve the standard of football infrastructure, and administration in all CFU member countries to an international level; and to also develop, conduct, and
sustain the financial affairs of the CFU to the highest professional and ethical standards.

Photo: TTFA president David John-Williams promised to lift the reputation of the CFU in his 2016 election manifesto.
Photo: TTFA president David John-Williams promised to lift the reputation of the CFU in his 2016 election manifesto.

John-Williams, who promised to hire a full-time CFU technical director and technical department once elected, also vowed to:

  • Improve the credibility and image of The Caribbean Football Union through inclusive and collaborative leadership and transparency;
  • Redefine The CFU’s vision, mission and core values;
  • Lobby and incorporate leading football bodies such as UEFA, in assisting member countries improve their level of and number of certified coaches as well as the standard of refereeing and football administration. It is my intent to as soon as possible after being elected to sign an MOU with UEFA in this regard.
  • Conduct the activities of the CFU at all levels in a manner that is consistent with the highest ethical and moral standards.”

An organisational chart suggested that John-Williams, as CFU president, will be the second rung on the food chain and subservient to the Caribbean’s board of directors, which will “frame and make policy” for the regional game.

Photo: TTFA president David John-Williams' proposed governance structure for the Caribbean Football Union (CFU).
Photo: TTFA president David John-Williams’ proposed governance structure for the Caribbean Football Union (CFU).

It is a promise that he has not kept in Trinidad and Tobago.

Last Thursday, John-Williams and TTFA vice-president Joanne Salazar suggested that they would seek an amendment to the local constitution, so as to give the executive committee—president and three vice-presidents—the power to make decisions without need to consult the other nine members of their board of directors.

More from Wired868
TTFA outlaws Toda-World FA and controversial ex-national youth coach, Marcelle

The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) has officially outlawed former national youth coach Terrence Marcelle and his club, Toda-World Read more

TTFA apologises to ticketed fans turned away from Canada match, promises free entry to Jamaica friendly

It turns out that the Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Under-20 Team were not the only party unprepared for last Read more

Wharfe coy on resignation; active TTPFL CEO campaigning for TTFA presidency

Aspiring Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president Colin Wharfe confirmed that he continues to serve as CEO of the Read more

“Anything but Hadad!” TTFA members accept Fifa amendments to avoid NC extension

Members of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) are now officially in election mode, after agreeing to constitutional amendments Read more

Dear Editor: Eve’s renewal shows Normalisation Committee is arrogant and deceitful to the end

“[…] I have no problem with Angus Eve being given an extension. Clearly, he may have had to work the Read more

T&T coach, Eve, gets two-year contract extension; Hadad: “we’re excited for the future!”

Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team head coach Angus Eve will lead the Soca Warriors into the 2026 FIFA Read more

About Lasana Liburd

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.

Check Also

TTFA outlaws Toda-World FA and controversial ex-national youth coach, Marcelle

The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) has officially outlawed former national youth coach Terrence …

57 comments

  1. As transparent as a solid Brick concrete wall……

  2. Just another wannabe in the mould of jw,Zurich is the next destination for those seeking glory Jeffrey Web is awaiting sentenceing, history is unsympathetic to failures, corruption follows football world wide let us wish him well.

  3. The president of Guyana Football Federation Mr Wayne Forde was present. Paula and Lasana do not try to give me a fraud case nah

    • Wayne Forde is a bigger man than myself. I would have been most annoyed if Beenhakker attended a CFU meeting with a Netherlands track suit while drawing a TTFA salary.
      It was odd to me. But that is between you and the GFF. I can’t get in that. Lol

  4. Lasana yu trying to draw me out that is my track suit. I have 4 TT tracksuits from my tenures with senior men and women’s TT teams. I choose to wear my tracksuit. Same way when I wear my TT tracksuit in the July 27 Commission of Inquiry men had issues with my tracksuit.
    Everytime I had to serve TT I worked hard for the right to earn that suit and reserve and guard my right to wear it on any occasion I feel appropriate. Lasana yu know when TT play ST Vincent in the Stadium I wore that same outfit and you did not write about it . All you good yes

  5. So then a friend of all these will always be a friend of wcfc…its about the beautiful game…

  6. All our success over the the 16 years has been with hard work and discipline and honesty I sure you would be aware of that…

  7. Reporters that write and report and investigate without agendas and honestly are always on the side of wcfc ….thats what we are about…

  8. I know I was one of Connection’s favourite reporters once. Am I still? I follow the same principles now as I did then.

  9. Dont need to comment much..when I read some articles. ….since elections you saw the other slates and who was pushing what. ..and if you are around the football you would see the players at play…people try to push certain agendas to get coach hart out and trying to show its djw who wants him out….some have been battling for years to get the english man in whatever way possible. ..others try to attack at every turn haven’t given him a chance to breath…agendas. ..people were there in pass administrations never stood for anything and today have the most questions and answers. ..just looking reading and analyzing. ..at all cost to show they are powerful and can take down who they want…have all the answers. ..amazing this football thing…never seems to amaze. …but the game is a beautiful one and its playing. …

  10. My agenda is transparency and good governance. Does that mean I’m on the same team as DJW? Lol. 🙂

  11. Jamaal Shabazz looked real sharp in that TTFA outfit boy. Lol.

  12. ..Steups. I have none. Don’t want none. Not interested in having none. Done with all that. Politics and politicians who HAVE agendas proclaiming that others have one.Steups..

  13. Hey Lasana, don’t forget to share the I95.5 interview. Thanks.

  14. ..Same glossy approach filled with sexy ideas intended to catch people..

  15. Same manifesto he used for the TTFA election?

  16. The DJW dictionary provides different definitions of a lot of words yes…

  17. ..Steups. Still waiting for ONE thing from the TTFA election manifesto to be implemented. But we like bling so the CFU electorate may very well go for this. Anyway, the real election promises to voters are offered and the deals made in private – a FIFA commitee appointment, a tournament appointment, etc. These don’t make it into any manifesto. So don’t be surprised..

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.