Look Loy: TTFA misinterpreting own constitution to frustrate TTSL gala All-Star affair

The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) and Trinidad and Tobago Super League (TTSL) have adopted adversarial positions, thus far, on the latter’s staging of an All-Star match on 15 October 2017, which should involve celebrated retired football stars like Brazil’s Ronaldinho, Rivaldo and Cafu.

The following are releases from both football bodies over the past 24 hours:

Photo: Former Barcelona and Brazil star Rivaldo (right) executes a rabona kick during a Legends exhibition match against Manchester United in June 2017.
(Copyright Sun.co.uk)

(TTFA press statement)

The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association wishes to state that contrary to information being relayed to the public by the Trinidad and Tobago Super League, the FA does not have the authority to sanction the All Star Game to be staged by the League in October 2017.

The FA wishes to  further confirm that it has in fact made a request to FIFA to have the Match sanctioned and is currently awaiting their approval. The FA will also like to place on record that it was only on the 29th of August 2017 it received from the TTSL information requested since early August by the FA to support the TTSL’s application to send to FIFA.

The TTFA will in no way attempt to stall an event of this magnitude which is intended to aid the promotion of the sport in Trinidad and Tobago and the region. The FA will continue to support the development of the TTSL.

The relevant articles of the TTFA’s Constitution are listed below for your information:

Article 78: International Matches and Competitions

The Authority for organising international matches and competitions between representative teams and between Leagues, Club teams and/or scratch teams lies solely with FIFA, the Confederation (s) and/or the Association (s) concerned. No such match or competition shall take place without the prior permission of FIFA, the Confederation (s), and/or the Association (s) concerned in accordance with the FIFA Regulations Governing International Matches.

The TTFA is bound to comply with the International Match calendar compiled by FIFA.

Article 79: Contacts

TTFA, its Members, Players, Officials and match and players’ agents shall not play matches or make sporting contact with Associations that are not Members of FIFA or with Provisional Members of a Confederation without the approval of FIFA.

Photo: FIFA president Gianni Infantino (right) and TTFA president David John-Williams at a press conference at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva on 10 April 2017.
(Courtesy Sean Morrison/Wired868)

(Press statement from TTSL president Keith Look Loy)

The TTFA issued a media release yesterday in the matter of the request by the Trinidad and Tobago Super League (TTSL) for permission to host an international match. In said media release, TTFA quotes Article 78 and Article 79 of its constitution.


Regarding Article 78 above, TTSL is of the view that it is patently clear that the language of the statute—“… and/OR the Association…”—enables TTFA to sanction, if it so wishes, the event for which TTSL has requested permission to host.

Regarding Article 79 above, TTSL does not understand why TTFA is resorting to this statute. The event in question is being promoted by Caribbean Football Trust Limited (CFTL), which is a recognised entity in Caribbean football, and involves two matches:

1) a match between TTSL All Stars and Jamaica Premier League All Stars, i.e. a match involving players from two FIFA-affiliated leagues;

and 2) a promotional match between Trinbago Oilers and a World XI, which involves only retired international stars.

Photo: Former Barcelona and Brazil star Ronaldinho (centre) in action against Manchester United in a Legends exhibition contest in June 2017.
(Copyright Sun.co.uk)

In its media release, TTFA also claims to have received information from TTSL only on 29 August. For clarity, I provide a timeline of the unfolding of developments in this matter:

TTSL’s request for permission to host an international match on 16 September was tendered to TTFA on 13 June—almost three months ago.

After several requests by TTSL for an update, on 9 August, TTFA requested a list of the foreign players to participate in the proposed event, which list was provided by TTSL on 15 August.

On 15 August, TTSL also advised TTFA of a change of date from 16 September to 15 October—which CFTL advised TTSL was necessitated by the delay in the grant of permission by TTFA and the consequent need for CFTL to renegotiate the availability of certain foreign players, all of which affected the marketing of the event.

Since 15 August, TTFA has issued fixtures for the 2017 FA Cup, which include matches scheduled for 15 October, the very date requested by TTSL for its proposed international event.

In conclusion, TTSL is of the firm view that TTFA has immediate and constitutional authority to sanction the proposed event.

Photo: TTSL president Keith Look Loy (left) and CFTL chairman Chris Anderson agree sponsorship for two cups for the 2017 TTSL season during a media conference at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on 5 June 2017.
(Courtesy Roneil Walcott/Wired868)

Further, the continuing delay by TTFA in sanctioning the event, and the Association’s decision to schedule a conflicting event on that date, are a threat to an international event proposed by TTSL for the benefit of local players, clubs and football.

TTSL awaits further developments and remains hopeful that TTFA will do the right thing and assist TTSL in the promotion of our great sport.

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19 comments

  1. Ever since my very early playing days in the early 70’s under the auspices of the T&TFA, I have never seen one year go by without some commotion – it is as if no one has the interest of what is best for the greater whole. We are clearly a nation that delights in upheaval and tornadic behavior. Seriously, we are lost by way of our fiduciary responsibilities. And when I look north, I am always in admiration of our two rivalling neighbors, Jamaica and Haiti – poorer they might be, but absolutely, more rich and profound in their patriotism. Our land is fruitful, but our existing football “buildings and infrastructure” must be demolished completely if we are to maximize our talents and actualize our potential. As before said, our football is likened to a blind man standing in a dark room, looking for a black cat that isn’t there – the ultimate in futility and at the core, a culture of corruption. Without question, we are the world’s best enigma and, I am sad.

  2. I read TTFA media release about only receiving the necessary info for FIFA on the 29th and IMMEDIATELY figured somebody LYING!!! Unless TTSL lying about the timelines given? I really, really give up on the mess that is football in TnT yes.

    How yuh go schedule the FA Cup on the SAME EFFIN day the men and them schedule their game for? What kinda low-life, no-class, bad-mind thing is that??

    Not me nah, I done…I will check back when they get rid of Lawrence, cause the head man eh going ah damn place any time soon.

  3. if it were a pro league all stars match it would have been approved already…..

  4. DJW is a ka ka hole. He singlehandedly ruined a re-energized football nation into ashes along with football on the whole. He needs to go NOW

  5. I think we need an English teacher bc i don’t see how and/or after confederation makes the FA solely responsible for granting permission! ! A Sea student will tell you that!! But I guess Keith Look Loy looking for a scapegoat for this failed project and Lasana Liburd in his usual style providing him with an outlet!! Jamaal Shabazz, what u think?

  6. The TTFA should produce evidence of the request to FIFA to host the matches.

  7. Ever committee keith on is always surrounded by controversy

  8. How this lookin like TTFA wanna snub TTSL cuz they look like they could organize ting better…

  9. Not politics Lasana. More of an ego thing. We need more leaders with humility. And I’m talking about both sides.

  10. Article 79 is interesting though. It does seem to indicate that the TTFA needs approval from FIFA prior to approving such an event. Either way, however, one would expect a more expedited process by the TTFA.

  11. The issue of differing timelines should be interesting. The TTFA’s statement of “The FA will also like to place on record that it was only on the 29th of August 2017 it received from the TTSL information requested since early August by the FA to support the TTSL’s application to send to FIFA.” is kinda vague since it doesn’t specify the information in question.

  12. Lasana Liburd, tell dem bring the match to Guyana -_-

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