TTFA members ‘humbly apologise’ to Fifa and Hadad, agree to accept ‘normalisation’

“[…] Based on the meeting, the TTFA must advise that its members have agreed to abide with the conditions of the normalisation committee and will co-operate fully to ensure that the mandate of the committee is realised.

“In addition, let me take this opportunity to humbly apologise to you, the other members of the normalisation committee, Fifa, Concacaf and CFU for any embarrassment and inconvenience caused by TTFA representatives over the last year…”

The following statement, described as a ‘letter of acquiescence’, was submitted to Fifa-appointed normalisation committee chairman Robert Hadad today on behalf of the TTFA membership by Richard Ferguson BA, FCCA, CA, MBA:

Photo: Fifa president Gianni Infantino.

I, Richard A Ferguson, hereby submit the following to you on behalf of the members of the TTFA.


On Sunday 25 October 2020, the members of the TTFA attended an extra-ordinary general meeting which was called by the board on 15 October 2020, scheduled to start at 9.00am. A quorum was achieved at 9.18am with 24 accredited delegates present.

The TTFA members proceeded to elect me to chair the meeting in the absence of the officers of the TTFA. The lone agenda item for the meeting was: ‘The way forward—Fifa suspension’.

Attendance at the meeting was as follows:

  • 38 delegates
  • 16 observers

The following motion was tabled by Mr Osmond Downer, one of the delegates of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Referees Association (TTFRA):

Photo: Terminix La Horquetta Rangers managing director Richard Ferguson.
(via Ascension)

“Be it resolved that, in view of the precarious position that the TTFA now finds itself, this extra-ordinary General meeting of the TTFA decides that the way forward for the TTFA is:

  • for the TTFA to fully comply with its obligation as a member of Fifa, recognising the legitimacy of the Fifa-appointed normalisation committee, and;
  • bringing its own statutes in line with the Fifa Statutes, and;
  • to fully cooperate with the normalisation committee in the fulfilment of its mandate as stated in Fifa’s letter of 17 March 2020.

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

The motion was seconded by Keith Jeffrey of Central FC.

The vote by the delegates on the motion resulted as follows:


  • 33 delegates in favour
  • 2 delegates abstained
  • 3 delegates did not respond, when called upon.
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Khaleem Hyland (second from right) gestures to fans after Joevin Jones’ second goal against Guatemala during Russia 2018 World Cup qualifying action at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain on Friday 2 September 2016.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)

It should be noted that the members overwhelmingly accepted the motion. A copy of the minutes of said meeting is attached for your reference.

Based on the meeting, the TTFA must advise that its members have agreed to abide with the conditions of the normalisation committee and will co-operate fully to ensure that the mandate of the committee is realised.

In addition, let me take this opportunity to humbly apologise to you, the other members of the normalisation committee, Fifa, Concacaf and CFU for any embarrassment and inconvenience caused by TTFA representatives over the last year.

I also hope that a strong positive relationship can be re-established as we move forward for the betterment of football in Trinidad and Tobago. This information is conveyed to you for relay to Fifa, at your earliest convenience.

Thanking you for your attention and co-operation in this matter and should you require any additional information please feel free to contact the undersigned at your convenience.

Photo: Robert Hadad is co-CEO of Hadco and board member at the International School in POS.
Hadad was appointed head of Fifa’s normalisation committee in Trinidad and Tobago on 27 March 2020.
(Copyright Gary Jordan Photography ©2017)

Editor’s Note: Fifa-appointed normalisation committee chairman Robert Hadad acknowledged receipt of Richard Ferguson’s letter and minutes for the TTFA EGM on 26 October and said the matter will be discussed shortly with Fifa and Concacaf.

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11 comments

  1. Well done T.T.F.A. members you’ve made your decision for the best interest of football towards the entire country of Trinidad and Tobago hopefully, after the dust is settled our football will be in a much better position after the two year period of the Normalization trial, i do hope Accountability, Transparency and Sustainability will be fashioned into the hearts and minds of those who seek to hold or attain the highest office of Football in our Country, lest we fall into the hands of a bunch of deceitful individuals with ulterior motives operating under the guise of Fifa backed liberators. Mr. Wallace two years plus is not far off your hat can still be thrown in the ring.

  2. This is a sickening development. An insult to the people of this country and a bad example to our youth. The colonial mindset is alive and kicking among a small ruling elite in our country. SHAME ON THE BOTTOM FEEDERS.

  3. Dear FIFA, we grovel at your feet for money that will never profit us. We kiss your backside because of that ever elusive spot in the WC that we can never fill. We acknowledge you as king, emperor and despot because as the slaves of your organization, we cannot do without our master. We worship you as our god, FIFA. Forgive us our trespass of learning to run our organization independently. We beg of thee, take us back into your fold and we will continue to kiss ass even if it profits us nothing at all.

  4. Albert Camus has told us that every century gets the Christ it deserves.

    The contents of this letter say clearly that the TTFA has now got the e-literate chairman it deserves.

  5. Just like the politics and the carnival, the one percent is now in full control of th footbll. Welcome back to the plantation.

  6. What a bunch of cowards. If you don’t stand for something you will fall for anything. Looks like massa day eh done yet. I am almost 100% sure that carpetbagger Sancho will make his play to take control of football in TnT now.

    • The smart move is to make a play for a position on the normalisation committee that pays money and no member of the Normalisation Committee can run for office when the normalization committee expires.

      The TTFA members must prepare people to take up the non-paying positions on the executive when the normalisation committee expires in 24 months? (or 24 minus 7) and it could get ugly if the debts are still there when the Normalisation Committee expires. TTFA would be back to square one.

      Maybe nobody will come forward for such a thankless job involving real work as a volunteer and loyalty to Infantino as a prerequisite. Then again, maybe the PM will put forward a candidate with government funds to ensure success, having scorned Wallace.

      Not to worry though, between Mr. Hadad, Fifa and the taxpayers all problems should be solved by the time the Normalisation Committee is done.

      …Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
      Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
      The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
      The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
      The best lack all conviction, while the worst
      Are full of passionate intensity.

      Surely some revelation is at hand;
      Surely the Second Coming is at hand…
      – William Butler Yeats

    • I am FIFA the Monarch of all I survey, My right there is none to dispute, From the centre all round to the sea, I am lord of the fowl and the brute …………… Robinso Crusoe by Alexander Defoe. What a shame from the top to bottom a small colonial group greedy for handouts and perks have sold out our right to protest and struggle in persuit of justice against a many times proven corrupt international sporting monopoly that ever so often have trampled on the rights of football groups in small and developing countries.

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