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Scarborough Secondary failed to convince the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) Appeals Committee that they were unfairly sanctioned for using an unauthorised player, midfielder Johan Elliot, in their final game of the 2025 Premier Division season against San Juan North Secondary.
And, as a result, the “Blue Marlins” will be relegated.
The Appeals Committee ruling was made on 12 February 2026 and relayed to the two schools after Carnival. Scarborough did not take the option to take the matter to Arbitration Panel, and the time to do so has now elapsed.
(via Scarborough Secondary.)
Scarborough, in the first season in the top flight, appeared to have pulled off a miraculous escape from demotion as they went unbeaten in their last four games, with draws against Queen’s Royal College and Trinity College (Moka) and wins over Trinity College East and, finally, San Juan North.
However, San Juan North protested the final result on the grounds that Elliot represented a Tobago Football Association (TFA) team, Eagles FC, a week before their encounter and was therefore ineligible to play for his school—based on the SSFL Constitution.
The Disciplinary Committee subsequently overturned the 1-0 Scarborough win and awarded San Juan North the result by three clear goals instead.
- Scarborough Secondary defender Jaheim Toney pounces on a spill from San Juan North Secondary goalkeeper Elijah Lawrence to score the game winner at Shaw Park on 15 December 2025.
Scarborough’s appeal was based on the fact that SSFL assistant secretary-administration Laurence Seepersad explicitly advised the school that Elliot could play in their closing Premier Division match.
Seepersad, Scarborough argued, was SSFL’s official to handle registration and “had the authority to make such decisions”.
The Tobago school, represented by principal Tecla Stephen, teachers Salisha James and Kelly Beharry-Lutchman and attorney St Clair O’Neil, also suggested that the game fell outside the SSFL league calendar and, therefore, the rules for the competition should not apply.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.
O’Neil also claimed that Seepersad’s role on the SSFL’s Disciplinary Committee was “improper”, due to his active involvement in the matter.
However, the Appeals Committee—headed by former Trinity East principal Derek West and comprised of persons totally independent of the SSFL executive—found that the Disciplinary Committee was “properly constituted” and noted there were no complaints about Seepersad’s involvement at the time.
The Appeals Committee also disagreed with Scarborough’s assertion that the 2025 Premier Division season ended on 27 November, and ruled the rescheduled contest between Scarborough and San Juan North on 15 December to be in keeping with the school body’s constitution.
Photo: Nicholas Williams/ Wired868.
And, crucially, the Appeals Committee “unanimously agreed that Article 16, Section 4(a) of the Constitution is specific and final and that no individual or representative of the League can unilaterally alter it under any circumstance. Further, that the representatives of Scarborough Secondary must have been aware or ought to be aware of that fact.”
And Article 16 states: “a player shall not play in another Trinidad and Tobago Football Association affiliated league after one’s first game in the Secondary Schools Football League. Failure to abide by the rule will result in the loss of points for each game the player takes the field.”
As such, “the Appeals Committee unanimously agreed that the decision of the Disciplinary Committee shall stand.”
Photo: Wired868.
Scarborough declined the option to take the matter to Arbitration. And, as it stands, they will be relegated alongside Carapichaima East Secondary.
At present, St Augustine Secondary are the third school in relegation trouble. However, they still have one game in hand away to Signal Hill Secondary.
The problem—at least, up until a few weeks ago—is that Signal Hill are refusing to play unless they are refunded for money spent on meals in preparation for their previously scheduled meeting against the “Green Machine” on 17 November.
The bill is $7,500.
Photo: Nicholas Williams/ Wired868.
Signal Hill teacher Syandene Blackman-Walsh could not be reached for comment on her school’s current position.
If St Augustine win or draw in Tobago, they will secure their place for the 2026 Premier Division season—and Malick Secondary will be demoted in their place.
However, a Signal Hill win automatically demotes St Augustine.
Incidentally, Blackman-Walsh, who is the SSFL Tobago Zone secretary and the SSFL second vice-president, resigned her position as vice-president on 30 January citing “an unavoidable conflict of interest between the role of second vice-president and my continued service as Tobago secretary”.
Blackman-Walsh is also the Tobago Zone secretary and SSFL vice-president.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.
Weeks later, Blackman-Walsh allegedly announced that she reversed her decision and wished to hold on to both posts.
Thus far, SSFL president Merere Gonzales has not declared Blackman-Walsh’s role on the executive as vacant—and it seems she will indeed continue to operate in both positions.
Last month, Scarborough teacher, James, called on Seepersad to resign from the SSFL executive for “misleading” the Tobago school to devastating effect.
The SSFL has been plagued by postponements under Gonzales’ watch, particularly over the past two seasons.
Photo: Dirk Allahar/ bcreative designs/ Wired868.
“We had no issues with not playing the child,” James told Wired868. “If they (Blackman-Walsh and Seepersad) left it alone and told us nothing, that child would never have played.
“But if the bosses said he could play…”
Not only has Seepersad declined to resign—he has asked for a promotion.
Veteran administrator Azaad Khan’s death has left a vacancy for the position of SSFL general secretary/treasurer. And Seepersad, despite being at the centre of several registration scandals within the past three years, is now asking schools to vote to give him increased responsibility within their administrative body.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.
The SSFL is expected to hold a by-election for the vacant portfolio soon.
The schools football membership could have a final word on Scarborough’s fate too.
In 2017, San Juan North were due for relegation from the Premier Division, after a rejig of the standings caused by the Presentation College (San Fernando) use of illegal player, Kori Cupid, saw the Bourg Mulatresse-based school fall into the bottom three.
Instead, then San Juan North vice-principal Joseph Taylor moved a motion that his school was unjustly punished for the shortcomings of various SSFL committees.
Photo: Sean Morrison/ Wired868.
And, in a subsequent vote, 20 members voted to keep San Juan North in the top flight while 18 voted to stick with the final standings.
As a result, San Juan North defied the standings and 17 schools, rather than 16, contested the 2017 Premier Division title.
The SSFL Appeals Committee suggested, in a memo to the executive, that Scarborough be allowed that chance.
Scarborough won a historic promotion to the Premier Division on that day, only to be relegated within 12 months due to a rule breach.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.
“In light of the fact that [Scarborough Secondary] gave evidence that they received permission from the Assistant Secretary, Administration for a student, who was clearly ‘deregistered’ to play,” stated the Appeals Committee, “and it is based on that decision that they ultimately lost the game and would be demoted, [we recommend] that consideration be given for SS (Scarborough Secondary) to play in the Premier Division of the League for the 2026 season as an additional team.
“Such a decision can only be made by a three-fifths majority decision of the General Council.”
Thus far, Wired868 understands that the memo from the Appeals Committee was not officially shared with the relevant schools.
Photo: Ire Charles/ Wired868.
Incidentally, San Juan North were allowed to remain in the top flight, nine years ago, based on a simple majority.
It is left to be seen whether Scarborough will ask fellow schools to allow them similar grace.
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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.
