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Trinidad and Tobago National Senior Team coach Tom Saintfiet launched an extraordinary attack on four of his senior players today, as he accused Daneil Cyrus and Jomal Williams of arriving two hours to his live-in camp allegedly smelling of rum.
The Belgian coach also blasted Major League Soccer (MLS) players Joevin Jones, who was initially included in his 20-man squad for this week’s Gold Cup playoff matches against Suriname and Haiti, and Kevin Molino for failing to show sufficient desire to represent their national team.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
Saintfiet told the media that Cyrus and Williams were dropped on the spot while Jones was also replaced.
Club Sando forward Akeem Roach, Defence Force utility player Curtis Gonzales and Orange County Blues attacker Trevin Caesar were all recalled to replace them after they were initially cut from the squad on their return from Managua yesterday.
It means England-based midfielder Andre Boucaud is the only addition to the squad that faced Nicaragua twice last week and returned with a 2-1 loss and 3-1 triumph respectively. Boucaud is expected in Trinidad on Tuesday, roughly 24 hours before kick off against Suriname, after he received an extra day’s grace to represent his club in England.
Saintfiet’s leniency with his overseas-based players is unlikely to be lost on local Pro League and Caribbean club champs, Central FC, who were told to release their players and not use them for their own clubs. The subsequent stand-off led to goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams and midfielders Nathaniel Garcia and Sean De Silva being omitted.
And although Garcia and Williams are free now—De Silva was injured at a national training session—and Saintfiet lost goalkeeper Marvin Phillip to injury, the coach ignored both players and again left them out of his squad.
(Courtesy Nicholas Williams/Wired868)
Today, Saintfiet revealed internal problems with the players he did want.
“We selected 20 players [and] I have to say that three of the 20 players didn’t show up,” said Saintfiet, who was joined today by assistant coach Russell Latapy for the first time. “Two of the players came one and a half hours too late in camp and had still decent smell of alcohol around [them]. That was Daneil Cyrus and Jomal Williams.
“Both were immediately sent home back to party but are replaced in squad.”
Cyrus stressed that he did not have any alcohol though and claimed the coach was referring only to Williams.
Jones, according to Saintfiet, was simply a no-show. The Belgian coach gave special dispensation to the Seattle Sounders player to skip the Nicaragua tour after complaining about fatigue.
“I spoke with him individually and he did not show up at all for the camp,” said the Belgian coach. “So I think he has no interest to help his country to qualify.”
Saintfiet was not impressed to discover that Jones played in two charity matches over the Christmas period, after he claimed to be too tired to represent his country. And, bizarrely, Jones also represented W Connection in a friendly match against Haiti last week.
Seattle defeated Toronto in extra time penalty kicks.
(Copyright AFP 2016/Claus Andersen)
“Joevin is here on holiday and Joevin played, two days ago, a friendly with W Connection against Haiti,” said Saintfiet. “So if his club had no problem with him playing a friendly match with a club where he is not registered, I see no problem why he cannot play for his national team…
“I had face to face communication with him. I said take a few days off and see you on January 1st. I told him where and when and which time [to enter] camp and he never called or informed us in any way that he would not show up.
“So I think he has no interest to help his country to qualify.”
Remarkably, all four players dropped by Saintfiet for disciplinary reasons since he took over the reigns as head coach are wholly or part-owned by W Connection.
Last week, defender Triston Hodge became the first player to be cut after he allegedly missed one training session, turning up late for camp and failed to win over the new coach with his demeanour.
Williams, who is on loan at Mexico second division club Murcielagos FC, was next today along with versatile Connection defender, Cyrus, who has 62 full international caps.
Peru won 4-0.
(Copyright Ernesto Benavides/AFP 2016/Wired868)
Williams started in Saintfiet’s first game as Warriors head coach against Nicaragua on 27 December and came off the bench for the second contest in Managua. Cyrus featured as a substitute in both fixtures.
Connection are believed to have inserted a sell-in clause in their deal with Seattle, which entitles them to a slice of any revenue earned if the MLS club cashes in on Jones. Jones won the MLS Cup with Seattle last season and is Trinidad and Tobago’s top scorer in the Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
However, his commitment to the two island republic has been questioned before.
Hart cut Jones—along with Cyrus—for playing minor league football after skipping an international tour, supposedly due to fatigue, in September 2013. Jones was also fined by Hart for breaking camp to attend a boat party, alongside teammates Mekeil Williams and Molino, three days before a World Cup qualifier against Guatemala on 2 September 2016.
The background of the players at odds with successive national team coaches ought to alarm and embarrass Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president David John-Williams, since he is the co-founder of the W Connection team.
(Courtesy Nicholas Williams/Wired868)
The national youth teams have not been spared such disciplinary issues either, as Connection teenager Isaiah Hudson abandoned the Trinidad and Tobago National Under-20 Team during their Caribbean Cup campaign last October.
Hudson’s father, Brent Hudson, insisted that the Naparima College student was injured. However, National Under-20 coach Brian Williams denied this.
Arguably, John-Williams did not help Saintfiet’s authority much when he publicly warned the coach, at his unveiling, that he would be sacked if he does not manage four points from World Cup qualifiers against Panama and Mexico on 24 and 28 March respectively.
But, thus far, the cringeworthy introduction does not appear to have inhibited Saintfiet much, as the coach has not been shy about imposing himself on the national squad. And, unlike almost everyone else at the TTFA, the new coach does not seem to be interested in holding secrets.
“[Molino] said he was not available [to play] for his country at that point in time,” said Saintfiet. “He told me he didn’t feel motivated or ready for that. And later, I [heard] he played games at lower league or social level…”
(Copyright MLS Futbol)
The downside to Saintfiet’s managerial style is he must now try to outdo Haiti with a notably weaker squad than Hart had last year when the Warriors fell 1-0 to the Haitians in a Copa America Centenario playoff in Panama.
And, after his bullish approach to his senior players and bravado in mentioning Connection during a broadside at Jones, this week’s qualifiers may take on increased importance for the Belgian coach.
The Warriors face Suriname from 7pm on Wednesday at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva and then tackle Haiti on Sunday from 5pm at the same venue.
It would be some accomplishment if Saintfiet can lead the Warriors to two wins regardless of the patchiness of his squad. Arguably, his authority—on the training ground and in the corridors of power—can be significantly weakened if his current squad fails to deliver for him. Perhaps irretrievably so.
Whatever is written about Saintfiet when he does depart at Piarco, he certainly will not be remembered as dull.
Now, it is up to his present squad—which includes 37-year-old captain and right back Carlos Edwards and 35-year-old striker Cornell Glen—to prove that the coach can win football matches too.
Suriname would be a good place to start on Tuesday.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
(Trinidad and Tobago 20-man Gold Cup playoff squad)
Goalkeepers: Adrian Foncette (Police FC), Glenroy Samuel (Ma Pau Stars);
Defenders: Carlos Edwards (Ma Paul Stars), Curtis Gonzales (Defence Force), Carlyle Mitchell (Seoul E-Land—Korea Republic), Radanfah Abu Bakr (Sillamae Kallen—Estonia), Maurice Ford (W Connection), Aubrey David (Deportivo Saprissa—Costa Rica);
Midfielders: Kevan George (Jacksonville Armada—USA), Andre Boucaud (Dagenham & Redbridge—England), Alvin Jones, Hughtun Hector (both W Connection);
Attacking midfielders: Aikim Andrews (W Connection), Trevin Caesar (Orange County Blues—USA), Hashim Arcia (Defence Force), Nathan Lewis, Tyrone Charles (both San Juan Jabloteh);
Forwards: Akeem Roach (Club Sando), Shahdon Winchester (Murcielagos FC—Mexico), Cornell Glen (Ozone FC Bengalaru—India).
Technical staff: Tom Saintfiet (head coach), Russell Latapy (assistant coach), Jamaal Shabazz (assistant coach), Lukas Wojciak (goalkeeper coach), Riedoh Berdien (trainer), Dr Terence Babwah (doctor), Dave Isaac (paramedic), Michael Williams (equipment manager), Shaun Fuentes (press officer), Azaad Khan (interim manager).
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I just cannot comprehend the attitude of these boys. It’s just astonishing witnessing their lack of focus, their immaturity and unprofessionalism. I also have to wonder what type of friends and teammates do they have. A friend should be telling you to get your ass back in camp.. when you ask for a baileys or they see you running late they should be telling you get your tail in camp. These boys are weak and lack the qualities to be players worthy of representing Trinidad and Tobago.
Great reply and response, do they recognize the youths of this country are watching their every move? Role models to future generations of footballers, no wonder there is no respect or discipline in the youths of today!
Couldn’t agree any more Terry..these kids really don’t know what it takes.. also.. to make this clear, what the manager is doing is nothing special. It’s what any half decent manager would do to deal with indiscipline and lack of commitment.
It’s most definitely what Terry would have done.
Joshua Mickel Lamb too right and announced it in front of the whole squad to make the point
The rest of the players from W- Connection team should also make a video and apologize the same eh, especially the ones who loves to drink the moet and other expensive rums. steeuussppss. Them really good yes.
Jomal Williams apologises and admits to a couple drinks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qElRU_0pdww&app=desktop
Jomal say “he was running late” Cyrus say was ah flat…LOL
this all sounds a lil familiar….
Yeah but Jomal said he was waiting on Cyrus. Your partner over an hour late and you ent call a taxi?
Hilarious Dennis Allen!
D Coach is like a breath of fresh AIR.
The coach may not have come to the job with an impressive record of footballing success but the discipline and professionalism he is attempting to instill will build a successful record
This is one main reason football can’t reach it’s pinnacle in tnt.
Way to go coach. It is what is needed
Who is Mr. Agent?????
I feel we need the younger guys to come in now
If you can’t answer why all the players who seem to be rubbing the coach the wrong way are from Connection, then just say so. But anything other than that is irrelevant to the discussion.
Steups. Earl, I struggle to read your long posts sometimes. Let me be precise.
Saintfiet dropped four players from his national team for disciplinary reasons: Triston Hodge, Daneil Cyrus, Jomal Williams and Joevin Jones.
Hodge and Cyrus are wholly owned by Connection and Jomal and Joevin are part-owned by Connection.
So 100 percent of the players Saintfiet dropped for indiscipline are attached to Connection.
How that ends up being about me wanting to pick the national team is just amusing to me. Who has an agenda if the national coach is dropping Connection players for indiscipline? Me? Or Saintfiet?
I didn’t want to say anything about the long comments nah, I stopped in the middle when I realised there was no punctuation – ah was losing breath…lol
Stole…boy u are amazing smh
You talking about m Ford a Andrews t Hodge s Gomez all players you stole from jabloteh after they spent 10 yrs developing them so give me a break
Jack Loverum give them bay rum
Lasana Liburd would love the chance to pick the national team Earl Jean . But he have to go through d mill and become a coach,???
These boys throwing away their lives with their lack of discipline. Bench them!!
At times I wonder what we are about and what agendas people are pushing…we are in a place now…where players in clubs example defence force,The Police and various other clubs have been accused of murder And other offences robbery to name a few and I didn’t recall the clubs players being put into a situation where you are trying to stigmatize the entire squad on whether they should be selected for national teams…but over the years 1999 to 2016 wonder if there were issues with W.connection t.v. players in any probems with national teams from junior to senior …there is shahdon Winchester,Hector hugton,Aikim Andrews,Maurice Ford all on time and without any hiccups with the team management so why then do someone write and try to insinuate something is wrong with our. Players or trying to question the selection over our players…the players they called are there better players than them outside the national set up and if so why didn’t the coach call them…why weren’t they called under the former coach …is there a bias ????just asking? If player is good he is good if not let him go..and if another didnt get something wright with the team and there is need to drop them ,then allow the coach to do just that!!!has cyrus been in problems discipline wise before????has jomal Williams been in problems before with any national team from youth level to present whether under Stephen Hart or this coach…why is that emphasis to discredit our club..Brian Williams had issues with different players on that youth team …isaiah Hudson had issues and something totally different a discipline player do we the writers
Or bloggers write to the issues and truth about anything or we just come on at Times to bash teams that you have an obsession about maybe because you can’t use them to rape them financially outside to benefit you and the interest of a certain few in Europe…the level a few a you go because u cant get your way with a serious organization is amazing the disrespect you’ll.show and then want to do business through the back door unscrupulous is just amazing….but it all reveal itself sooner rather than later…..yes Mr.Agent
When a player refuse to go to a national team practice,or go to a boat ride, or even take a drink before entering a football camp it’s all on the person not on the club… I am sure if we look closely many other players from that same club have had no issues…as a former coach in the institution I have seen the good the bad and the ugly from other clubs as well…but Dion Sosa,Earl Jean and my friend Lasana when we all look through the same window we all would see different views….. It’s the dirty side of the Business of Professional Football
Well done coach! It’s about national pride, if you’re not proud to represent the red white& black, then doh bother. The lime does come after!
Cyrus and Jomal response to Saint’s instructions
Lolol..oh gosh eh
Lasana the man is a yes man so he will defend the shit they have been doing forever
You still around Mr….smh
I’m glad W Connection stands for discipline Earl Jean. But then why are so many of your players indisciplined? And it isn’t I who said so.
The coaches who had issues are Stephen Hart, Brian Williams and now Tom Saintfiet.
Get off your soapbox fellah. Show proof of what you’re saying. Spare us the holier than thou act.
Well you select the national team my friend
Well apparently the advice that some of the players are receiving from W- Connection isn’t working at all because it is really disturbing and disappointing with what is taking place with some of your so call professional players eh Earl Jean that was selected to represent our national team and of course they all should always be setting better examples to the other players because they are not only representing our sweet country but the only real professional club W- Connection along with the disciplinary winning Coach Stuart Charles Fevrier eh.Them really good yes
I can vouch for connection and coach stuarty by extension in this regard he is as professional and passionate as anyone In world football. In fact connection is the only club that really stands for discipline. It’s no coincidence that in their short time they’re the most successful club in the pro league era
They should be suspended for six months an sent to attend AA meetings this is a big time disappointment for tnt good for you coach you wont want drunkards on the field dey will celebrate everything
Mango earl will talk when he has to sure you are aware…this President in the 17 years of knowing him has never tried or push for any gag orders and we have always spoken out when needed..the nonsense that people try to put out about gag orders…why don’t people grow up and put sense into our football fraternity heads…why don’t people give players better advice than to insinuate nonsense about gag orders and so on…get real..
Oooh thats the story now….maybe because he stands for something and discipline is just whats needed and it was lacking because on the occasions when he took strong action when he was at his club I am sure someone always had issues with some on those decisions…i know he has a good record of doing what he has to….you will get the stories and the actions taken and players that are afraid to come in our institutions because of the intolerance for discipline by this organization but I guess you are not aware…smh
Yuh better be careful dey eh Mr. Live Wire we wouldn’t want Earl Jean to also get a gag order from my dictator president to eh. hahaha
Earl to be honest I’m happy to get answers. Batting for my friend? Lol. Trying to distract from Connection? I’m asking you about your camp. I will take any answer you give me in good faith unless it is proven otherwise
Distract from what???over the years with the young generation of players the amount of problems from social work done in this processional environment some won’t believe the encounterd problems….we have had so many issues with players and excuses from families in death accidents to car problems to parents not at home to look after younger family members to who police hold…name it and it comes up…things I have never heard about as a footballer much less professional football…we have disciplined we have brought in paid specialist from 1999 to date to help in counselling ,financing,tutoring for exams name it and djw has spent monies on his players….we have sent players home and paid them their monthly salaries while not at work…we have taken back rogue ones just to give second third and fourth opportunities but I guess it’s not your job to write about these stories…we have the challenges and when we do tell them about the importance of our stance …its for their benefit because coaches and clubs outside would not tolerate these attitudes…they wonder well it’s not wondering again the ma. Is here and taking action…so we are not prefect but Stuart Charles fevrier has battle for years to get these guys to a level as human beings first and players secondly and has been like a father figure to them has molded good pros over the years and we have many as examples you would know..
So do your investigation and find out the lost stories and even with the present young ones the problems which we have had to deal with anx also supporting their exploits outside as professional footballers…the stories are there you can ask and interview but no I guess it may show a different side to the public that some may not want them to see or hear…smh the level we havs to deal with in this Caribbean is mind boggling…
Well, I’m happy to hear about those issues. No problem. But clearly there is a problem. So it would be good to hear from Connection on it.
Just what my foreign base Coach Tom is doing eh, buss all the trouble makers throats that is all. Them really good yes.
Anyone called for the connection coach where did that come in???are u still batting for your friend brother…??? He may get one day on merit…you may never know ….there is a national coach why still trying to bring the connection coach in this
I mean we have seen a sharp increase in reports of indiscipline at national level since the new president was elected…
I wrote on what info I receive Earl. And you know that. But it doesn’t seem to have fixed the problem though.
According to the aunt, the TTFA president confirmed that Cyrus had a lateness problem at Connection. Is that true?
And if Connection cannot get their players to behave professionally, how will they get players to behave properly at national level?
And u realize I haven’t spoken anything on coach Hart…thats the respect I continue to have for coaches…but you should dig deeper to find out what happened with players and what caused certain problems…these players have been well paid and ask them what are the problems ask why are there indiscipline issues… ask them why doesn’t the senior players have more control,whats the problem if any with the young talent coming through are they comfortable around senior player’s just ask the questions sometimes when we think the problem is up top we maybe surprised…its not a club but it’s a national team no one is owed any special privilege …its the countries business and only the best and who is up to par is and will be called if you are not then get back to the drawing board and come again…its simple
In europe lasana when players have an issue with lateness the coach gets ride of you in the following season as long as he finds a good replacement and u know there is an abundance out there…when we as a club has a problem like that we will fine you talk to you try to make you understand youngster you don’t have an education football is all you have..you are paid to do this some of you’ll are getting better wages than bankers for doing what you love…so it’s a different approach because the play can be sent home then back to the serious issues around in the communities and we know what that is…u try to discipline them in other ways but it may reach a point to terminate your contract..there are not a wide range of talented footballers so u work much more socially sometimes than doing football work…now remember it’s your investment so do u think u can work with the said player or cut him loose…so there are options but we do work with them until it comes to contract renewals now Cyrus has had his problems and believe me has come a long way thnk God but the frustrations are still there at Times and when you think players are supposed to be future.. they keep sticking.We had issues with lots of players Aikim is one who has come through by lips and bounds and we are proud to see him making stride.. I have heard players and coaches having confrontations in diabolical rants and cussing rants on and after games where I know this could never be tolerated at our club the players are still at the said clubs…but these are issues we deal with but we have our work cut out but I think we do get it At times and get rid of the problem when it becomes abearable…everone has their limit it’s for the national program to get it programs in order.. and the coach is doing his job because if it was at our club..tbe players in question know that they may have gotten the same thing done…just ask some of them..players always try to test you and sometimes
It’s a genuine error on their part so you have to be calm and make decisions…i hope they understand their problems and keep working on it…stuart has coach me from 15 years and I think he can manage any where jn the world because he is a tactical genius..is a gift..so if and whatever he decides he will be ok no need to worry about him he has no fear…God inspiring person lasana
Kudos to Mr. President for not interfering according to the aunt though.
Watch the decisions taken by our club over the years…sure you have the records…if I give u the problems in other clubs and the history which you may have not written about…smh
And ah betting that they are all W- Connection players eh, Them really yeshahahaha
You’re assistant coach at W Connection Earl. I’m sure you must have an opinion. Especially after so many people criticised Hart for supposedly allowing indiscipline to slide under his watch.
Well, what is happening at Connection exactly?
Lasana boy there is so much I can say from national perspective to local football sometimes I need to hush because don’t think many could handle some of the stories and the truth…thats a bookbpr episode by itself…we don’t appreciate some of the work done by clubs and some administrators we don’t see the positive because we as a Caribbean people like sensational stuff and we like bacanal not the serious information…we let people ran smock form outside of the region and when our people try to stand up for something we cry them down and still say thats what it is call for and give them all the support…yes it happens…and there you have it a man like djw gives the support to whoever needs it and we still cry him down in different ways…we Caribbean people believe in that high hand from outside people has paralyzed our brains …the make us believe nonsense…i have heard it from board members at clubs locally…..
We have our challenges but I know we do a hell of a job with what’s available in terms of resources and finance..so we are proud and we will continue to put the stop to players to management to whom ever that try to distablize the work and education that is being passed on we have a very low tolerance for indiscipline and that will continue and by our players whom have gone on tp better things locally of abroad will and always proud…its our calling and our work it will continue
Call them
Want me to call out their names for your Earl? Because I’d love to hear an explanation actually.
Trouble makers smh…
Still batting…eh smh
Hypothetical question: If two-thirds of the troublemakers around the national team come from one club, would you select the coach of that club to run the national team?
Simon Miller Joshua Pokuman now win mls cup let the people drink na
What’s wrong with a little rum????
Simon Miller ah lie it’s a calm thing
this coach a clown
he on games if u see the squad
Tom the Cat , will prove to be a Paper Tiger. This is a foolish and arrogant response to common issues with players.
Our players are not the first to break camp nor the first show indiscipline. Wasn’t it the England and ManU Captain Wayne Rooney who was drunk at team hotel in November? I know these aren’t players of Rooney caliber but neither is our Coach of that managerial caliber, so caliber isn’t the issue. There are ways to handle these football business matters professionally within a squad, with the player(s) and with management; it is done every week because those of you in the business of football know this happens much more than the public know.
Tom is a one trick pony, once he observes player indiscipline or doesn’t get what he wants send the players home. Wondering if he consulted with Latapy who has experience in these matters before taking ACTIONS.
Anyone heard the players side before jumping to conclusions ?
Laski what is dat
Very good, they feel they untouchable. It good
These guys think they reach lol you know the pro league boys feel they reach also, playing in front an almost empty stadium.
Big player what big player,win a lil MLS title and feel them is something,no dam discipline!
Now that’s ah trini . doh bash dem eh ,, is politician drunk in office , is police drunk on duty .is you and me drunk when we driven .fell proud that’s ah Trini
Feel oh shit I drunk to
The worst…TTFA President Williams is the problem…he is creating straw men for excuses. The facts are all in this article about the indiscipline players of W Connection who are being called up to national duty and killing our football.