Trinidad goalkeeper suspended for refusing callup

[Grizzly]

Trinidad goalkeeper suspended

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (AP) - Goalkeeper Clayton Ince was suspended by FIFA from playing for his English club Walsall for 10 days from Saturday for rejecting an international call-up from Trinidad and Tobago.

Ince was the first-choice goalkeeper of new Trinidad coach Wim Reisenbergen for friendlies against St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Saturday and Panama next Wednesday. But he turned down the request, citing a groin strain he said he needed to rest. However, he then went and played a full game for Walsall last weekend in England's League Two.

On Trinidad and Tobago's request, FIFA instructed Walsall it couldn't play Ince during the period of the Soca Warriors' two friendlies, and added a five-day suspension from next Thursday.

FIFA also told three other English clubs to release Trinidad and Tobago players: Swansea City (Dennis Lawrence), Coventry City (Chris Birchall, Stern John), and Sunderland (Dwight Yorke).

The Trinidad and Tobago federation then tried to overturn the suspension to make Ince available by asking for help from FIFA vice president and CONCACAF president Jack Warner, but he turned it down.

Meanwhile, Warriors skipper Yorke, who will play only in Saturday's friendly, said they wouldn't be taking lightly St. Vincent, which knocked out defending champion Jamaica to advance to the second round of the Copa Caribe (Caribbean Cup).

"If we wish to be seen as a top-class team we will have to consistently defeat countries from the Caribbean, then take on the might of North America, Europe and South America," Yorke said.

[Winnipeg Fury]

T&T in total chaos:

From the Trinidad Express:

AMIDST a row over money, members of the Soca Warriors yesterday announced their retirement from international football after representing Trinidad and Tobago two more times-today's friendly against St Vincent and the Grenadines and Wednesday's match with Panama.

Accusing the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) of reneging on the contractual obligation they made during the 2006 World Cup build-up, 13 members of the World Cup squad announced their decision yesterday during a hastily arranged news conference at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo.

Just prior to yesterday's 5.30 p.m. training session at the same venue, captain Dwight Yorke read a prepared statement, which said: "We, the players of the National Team that participated in the World Cup 2006, would like to announce our consideration to retire from international football immediately after our next two games.

"We all recognise the fact that eventual retirement must come to us all, but certainly didn't anticipate this decision, especially following so hotly on the heels of what has been our proudest and most memorable achievements in the game this summer."

Standing in solidarity with their captain were Dennis Lawrence (Swansea), David Atiba Charles (Glenavon), Avery John (New England Revolution), Chris Birchall (Coventry City), Carlos Edwards (Watford FC), Colin Samuel (Dundee United), Stern John (Coventry City), Kenwyne Jones (Southampton), Jason Scotland (St Johnston), Brent Sancho (Gilliangham) and Cornell Glen (LA Galaxy).

"Prior to our qualification for the World Cup, we entered into negotiations with representatives of the TTFF regarding a number of different aspects of our own performances, behaviour and representation of our beloved country. Issues we felt we upheld and delivered on," Yorke read.

"It was recently revealed to us that very disappointedly, the TTFF did not feel the need to deliver on their promises and contractual obligations. Following Government's promise to reimburse the TTFF for all their expenses incurred during this historic achievement, it makes the TTFF's stand even more confusing... This all comes at a time when we feel we should be building for the future with our eyes firmly on South Africa 2010."

Following the statement, Yorke left with his teammates, refusing to answer questions. However, rasta-haired defender Brent Sancho had a few words before stating that more would be revealed following the Panama match.

"It's not just monetary. They have made certain contractual arrangements which they have now reneged on," he said.

Caught unawares by the latest development, TTFF general secretary Richard Groden released a statement, saying the federation was mortified by developments that occurred.

"The main issue, as we understand it from third parties, involves returns to players from sponsorship deals sourced solely by the TTFF and which, by agreement of their representatives, are available for detailed viewing," Groden said.

"Such an exercise had already been agreed for Monday, October 9, long before we learnt of their plan to withdraw from tomorrow's game. Quite naturally, we are appropriately embarrassed by this turn of events and particularly from players whose interests we have sought and defended on a continuing basis.

"The mere idea of going public, in the interim between our discussions and the agreed date for reviewing the sponsorship contracts, indicates less than honourable motives and, in terms of this development, we are especially disappointed. If by noon tomorrow, the Soca Warriors as we know them do not renege on their current confrontational posture, the TTFF will advise football fans of a matrix of alternatives, including terms and conditions of ticket purchase that may be reviewed in the still-evolving circumstances."

Meanwhile, a letter addressed to TTFF advisor Jack Warner, coming from accountant Kenny Rampersad, suggested that of approximately $13 million of sponsorship money raised during the campaign, a third, or $4,425,100, was diverted to kick off the 2010 World Cup campaign.

Rampersad's letter to Warner states: "In particular, we have estimated the costs for hotel accommodation and players' fees and allowances, which we understand were paid by you. In addition, since many of the sponsors contributed to both the Germany campaign as well as South Africa 2010, the sponsorship income was treated in the following manner, two thirds for the Germany campaign and one third for the South Africa campaign, as determined by The Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation."

Second story from the Trinidad Express:

The Trinidad and Tobago national football squad planned to make their first step towards the 2010 South Africa World Cup at 6.30 p.m. today in a friendly fixture against St Vincent and The Grenadines at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain.

Instead, local fans seem set to witness a farewell tour as the "Soca Warriors" yesterday vowed to sign off their international careers against St Vincent today and Panama on Wednesday.

The national players, led by team captain and Sunderland attacker Dwight Yorke, declared their intention to retire from international duty after their next two friendly fixtures as a result of an alleged breach of contract by the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (T&TFF).

The players appeared in good spirits at yesterday's training session and several players, including the Coventry City duo of Stern John and Chris Birchall, stayed late into the dusk for extra shooting practise.

But national coach Wim Rijsbergen was not happy.

"This does not help our preparation," Rijsbergen told the Express. "I do not think I should say any more at this time. So many things are being said already."

Today's fixture is the Warriors' first home game since their historic 2006 World Cup campaign and pits them against an ambitious Vincentian team with several familiar faces in their ranks.

Coach Zoran Vranes, an ex-Yugoslav international, led Trinidad and Tobago in their unsuccessful 1998 World Cup qualifying campaign and, ten years ago, gave striker Stern John-the country's record goal scorer-his first cap.

Versatile lanky defender Wesley John and the pacy, diminutive Kendall Velox have also won hundreds of Trinidad and Tobago fans after being introduced to the local football scene by Caledonia AIA.

St Vincent are a late replacement for Central American outfit, Nicaragua, but enjoy a good run after recently eliminating Jamaica-minus their foreign players-from the CONCACAF Gold Cup qualifying series.

St Vincent are ranked at 129th in the world by FIFA, which is 73 places below the Warriors although still ahead of the 165th placed Nicaragua. The Caribbean team should be an enthusiastic but ultimately outclassed opponent.

Yet it is unlikely that Rijbergen's squad cared much for a scouting report on Velox yesterday.

Yorke and his men targeted a more formidable opponent.

The 2005 T&TFF Player of the Year discouraged questions after yesterday's press conference and the players were vague as to exactly what "contractual obligation" they felt their employers had breached.

However, Yorke's explanation that the T&TFF's stand was "confusing and ultimately disappointing", since the Government promised to reimburse the organisation for "expenses incurred during this historic achievement", suggested that money was at the root of the fall out.

The T&TFF admitted as much in a release that defended its distribution of sponsorship money even before the players publicly accused them of anything unethical.

T&TFF general secretary Richard Groden issued T&TFF's release in such haste, in fact, that he was embarrassingly short on facts, even as he berated the players.

Groden, who anticipated a strike from the players, warned of the "deleterious effects" of this "delinquent" move. He further gave the Warriors a deadline of noon today to "renege on their current confrontational posture" and take the field against St Vincent.

The irony of the T&TFF's inability to assess the current situation would not be lost on players who argued that their faith in the local body was so eroded they felt promises from the Federation "are not worth the paper they are written on".

In fact, the players have decided against confrontation entirely.

They confirmed that they would play in both matches. The players worked at an upbeat tempo on the training ground yesterday and gave no indication that they will lack commitment today or on Wednesday.

After Wednesday night, they will presumably leave the country's football affairs up to the T&TFF, unless they are convinced of a drastic change in attitude.

The future looks bleak for Rijsbergen who, barely a month ago, declared an unwillingness to field a team without his best foreign-based players.

It is likely to be an uneasy weekend between players, coach and administrators.

[Cheeta]

Mutiny!

Arm the barricades! Power to the players!

(I love these sort of storys).

[Winnipeg Fury]

TTFF statement on eve of Friendly International.

By: Shaun Fuentes (TTFF).

The Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) is mortified by developments that occurred earlier today, regarding an attitude adopted by members of the Soca Warriors World  Cup players who, we are told, plan to boycott tomorrow’s game against St Vincent and the Grenadines.

We are sure the players involved, having attained international fame under the aegis of Team Trinidad and Tobago, are well aware of the deleterious effects of refusing to play for their home country after releases were secured via FIFA, so we must assume they consider their argument strong enough to defend such delinquency.

From where we sit, the situation has been commandeered by motives unbecoming of players with whom we have developed a particular level of understanding moreso over the past year, a relationship largely based on mutual trust, and one which, up to this juncture has delivered in its fullness.

The main issue, as we understand it from third parties, involves returns to players from sponsorship deal sourced solely by the TTFF and which, by agreement of their representatives, are available for detailed viewing. Such an exercise had already been agreed for Monday October 9th, long before we learnt of their plan to withdraw from tomorrow’s game.

Quite naturally, we are appropriately embarrassed by this turn of events and particularly from players whose interests we have sought and defended on a continuing basis. The mere idea of going public in the interim between our discussions and the agreed date for reviewing the sponsorship contracts, indicates less than honorable motives and, in terms of this development, we are especially disappointed.

If by noon tomorrow, the Soca Warriors as we know them do not renege on their current confrontational posture, the TTFF will advise football fans of a matrix of alternatives, including teams and conditions of ticket purchase that may be reviewed in the still-evolving circumstances. (Oct 6, 2006).

Respectfully submitted,

Richard Groden,

General Secretary,

Trinidad & Tobago Football Federation.

Statment and income expenditure - World Cup Games.

[RS]

Apparently the TTFF can't read, or listen.

DWIGHT YORKE: "We, the players of the National Team that participated in the World Cup 2006, would like to announce our consideration to retire from international football immediately after our next two games."

TTFF RESPONSE: "The Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) is mortified by developments that occurred earlier today, regarding an attitude adopted by members of the Soca Warriors World Cup players who, we are told, plan to boycott tomorrow’s game against St Vincent and the Grenadines."

No wonder the TTFF can't reach an agreeement with the players. They can't even decipher a threat properly.

[Grizzly]

Warner snubs Warriors

T&TFF withhold match fees

Lasana Liburd

Tuesday, October 10th 2006

Jack Warner

The crumbling relationship between the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (T&TFF) and the "Soca Warriors" seemed to deteriorate further yesterday when FIFA vice-president and T&TFF special adviser Jack Warner refused to speak to the national players.

Warner, who returned to Trinidad on Sunday evening, has not met the squad or the Germany 2006 World Cup players and, according to one Warrior, said that he has no intention of doing so.

"Warner said (via a telephone call with captain Dwight Yorke) that he was not going to see us and we could meet (general secretary Richard) Groden instead," said one player, who preferred to remain anonymous. "But we don't want to see Groden. It is Jack we made the deal with, so it is he we want to meet."

Last Friday, the World Cup players announced their intention to retire from national duty from Thursday because of an alleged breach of contract by the T&TFF.

Their frustration increased on Sunday when the T&TFF failed to pay their match fees for the weekend friendly against St Vincent at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.

The Warriors won 5-0 thanks to a Stern John double and a goal apiece from Chris Birchall, Kerry Baptiste and Yorke.

The player claimed the squad was already upset that the T&TFF cut match fees by approximately 75 per cent without consulting the Players' Association. The players were told about the new fee-US$250-just before the squad met in camp at the Crowne Plaza hotel. They are also entitled to a US$1,000 win bonus.

Normally, the T&TFF pays match fees as soon as the squad returns to the team hotel or, at the latest, on the following morning. But, up to last night, the players were still empty handed.

T&TFF press officer Shaun Fuentes confirmed last night that match fees had not been paid.

"The players are real frustrated," said the anonymous Warrior. "It is not a happy camp. They (the T&TFF) are asking us to be professional but they are not being professional."

Warner has not made a public statement about the rift and continued to hold his tongue yesterday despite being a key figure in the standoff.

The FIFA vice-president agreed to give the Warriors half of the revenue accrued by the T&TFF in the 2006 World Cup campaign last November before the final Play Off qualifiers against Bahrain.

The national footballers went on to earn an unprecedented World Cup place with a 2-1 goal aggregate win over the Asian outfit. In the process, Trinidad and Tobago became the smallest country ever to qualify for a senior FIFA World Cup.

Last week, though, the T&TFF declared the players were due just $141,102 or $5,644.08 per squad member.

Groden, and not Warner, broke the news to the Warriors. The players cried foul play and, three days later, announced their intention to retire from international football.

"As it stands, we made a decision to hand in our resignation and that is what we are going to do (after Wednesday's game)," said the player.

Yorke, who scored a curling free kick on Saturday, might have already played his last game for Trinidad and Tobago. The Sunderland player left Piarco International Airport yesterday evening to rejoin his England Championship Division employers.

[Daniel]

So who's on Jack Warner's side? FIFA? The same FIFA that has kicked out members for smaller offenses? Ridiculous...