TTFA members cut Wallace adrift; 94% vote to accept normalisation and abandon Fifa litigation’

There will be no Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) appeal against Fifa at the privy council. This morning, the general membership finally had its say; and it meant the last rites for the William Wallace-led administration.

Trinidad and Tobago Football Referees Association (TTFRA) vice-president Osmond Downer moved the decisive motion, which echoed Fifa’s demand for the TTFA’s reinstatement under its umbrella:

Photo: FIFA president Gianni Infantino addresses the audience during the opening of the TTFA Home of Football in Couva on 18 November 2019.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/TTFA Media)

‘Be it resolved that in view of the precarious position that the TTFA now finds itself that this extraordinary general meeting of the TTFA decides that the way forward for the TTFA is for the TTFA to fully comply with its obligations as a member of Fifa, recognising the legitimacy of the Fifa-appointed normalisation committee in bringing its own statutes in line with the Fifa statutes and to fully comply with the normalisation committee, and to fully comply with the normalisation committee in fulfilling its mandate as stated in Fifa’s letter of 17th March 2020.

‘Be it further resolved that all court matters existing between the TTFA and Fifa shall be immediately brought to a stop.’

Thirty-three members voted for the motion while just two, a representatives from the Tobago Football Association (TFA) and FC Santa Rosa, abstained. The tally meant 94 per cent of the member delegates at the EGM had had enough.

Yesterday, after weeks of speculation about his future, besieged TTFA president Wallace announced that he and his vice-presidents, Clynt Taylor and Sam Phillip, would skip today’s EGM—which the president called himself.

Still, Wallace, whose second vice-president Susan Joseph-Warrick and United TTFA colleague Keith Look Loy have already resigned, insisted that he had not quit his post yet.

Photo: TTFA general secretary Ramesh Ramdhan (centre) accompanies president William Wallace (far right), office staff Sharon O’Brien (far left) and technical director Dion La Foucade (second from left) during a Women’s National U-20 Team practice session at the Ato Boldon Stadium training field in Couva on 7 February 2020.
(Copyright Daniel Prentice/Wired868)

He does not need to trouble himself with such formalities anymore. Today, the membership took the decision for him.

In Wallace’s absence, Terminix La Horquetta Rangers managing director Richard Ferguson chaired the meeting—after being nominated for duty by Morvant Caledonia United director Jamaal Shabazz and seconded by Southern FA (SFA) representative Howard Spencer.

“The motion was excellent and the members all agreed,” Ferguson told Wired868. “Nobody voted against it and it was done in a short space of time… The motion that was passed basically replaces Wallace with the normalisation committee. So while he was not terminated directly; he and the entire board were removed indirectly.

“There was no dissenting voice. Everybody was on the same page; and it was quick, painless and overwhelming.”

Wallace said he accepts the view of the TTFA membership.


“The EGM decision was expected so there were no surprises there,” said Wallace. “This is the position that was basically in the public domain for a while now. I wish the members all the best.”

Photo: Fifa president Gianni Infantino (left) and secretary general Fatma Samoura.

By Tuesday, Ferguson said that either he or Boni Bishop will complete the minutes for the EGM and send a letter to Robert Hadad, which should be forwarded to Fifa secretary general Fatma Samoura. And, this time, the TTFA is the party requesting normalisation.

On 17 March, the Bureau of the Fifa Council, led by president Gianni Infantino, tried to replace Wallace and the TTFA Board. Seven months later, the job finally appears to be done—although, ironically, Infantino needed the help of the TTFA members to see it through.

Wallace’s position from the start was he could only be removed by the TTFA’s membership. The only consolation is that is how the end eventually came, although the football delegates were under significant duress at the time of the vote with a Fifa suspension hanging over their heads.

Having resigned as Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) president in July—after being invited to do so by the SSFL executive—Wallace does not have an official role within the game anymore, less than 12 months after he was elected to replace David John-Williams, on 24 November 2019, by a margin of 26 to 20.

It might not be the last time that Wallace and his vice-presidents hear from the TTFA’s members, though.

Photo: (From left) S&G director Omar Hadeed, TTFA president William Wallace and Soca Warriors head coach Terry Fenwick during a media launch on 9 March 2020.
(via TTFA Media)

Shabazz raised the issue of the bill for Fifa’s legal costs, slapped on the TTFA by the court of appeal. Who will pay it?

Downer and Ferguson agreed that today’s EGM was not the appropriate forum for that discussion, since it was not on the agenda. It is left to be seen if Shabazz and/or likeminded football officials persist at the AGM.

If members insist on holding Wallace responsible for the financial ramifications of his legal adventure, will they also try to stick the outgoing president with the tab for other deals done without board approval: including contracts awarded to marketing director Peter Miller, Men’s National Senior Team head coach Terry Fenwick and general secretary Ramesh Ramdhan?

Last November, the United TTFA slate—which also included Anthony Harford who quit as Northern FA (NFA) president earlier this month—successfully campaigned for the helm of the local football body on a platform of transparency and accountability.

Infantino and Fifa Member Associations chief Veron Mosengo-Omba did not appear to approve from the start. Their fall thereafter was swift and spectacular.

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 election: Edwards, Murray, Downer and Rigues head “Team Progressive” slate

Eastern Football Association (EFATT) president Kieron Edwards yesterday became the first candidate for the 2024 Trinidad and Tobago Football Association 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

TTPFL ExCo: Gate receipts split with clubs who retain marketing opportunities

“[…] The relevant TTPFL match day staff work with each designated home team to ensure standards and systems are met Read more

Dear Editor: Do TTPFL teams share in gates, sponsorship deals, etc?

“[…] Who is responsible for staffing the gates of the Tier 1 games, and the securing of the funds collected? Are 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 …

One comment

  1. The end is what was expected but simply demonstrates that FIFA remains a corrupt organization which has its way whenever it wishes.

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.