CHAIRMAN OF the Authorisation Committee for the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF), Anthony Harford has maintained that the organisation will carry forward with its duties amid the perception that the federation is all but crumbled.
He also expressed concern, not at the actual move to seize assets, but over the timing of the actions carried out in yesterday’s raid at the TTFF headquarters, conducted by a bailiff and police officers, under the eye of ex-national players, inclusive of Brent Sancho.
This followed the failure of the TTFF to comply with a court ruling, handed down on October 11 last year, to deliver an interim payment of $4.2 million to the ‘Soca Warriors’ following their exploits at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
Harford refuted that the TTFF would be dissolved in the wake of the court ruling and the ensuing raid at the TTFF. He conferred that while the courts ruled in terms of monies owed, the running and operations of the TTFF would remain intact.
He added, “I don’t know if calling this move vindictive is proper, but it’s their right (the players). The guys are looking to claim for what is theirs and if they win the case, the court will order that the monies be paid and that’s how the system works.”
He highlighted that the first payment of $7 million was made to the players and questioned why this time was chosen for action to be taken. Harford said that the second payment of $4.2 million was simply one that the TTFF could not afford at this time, but hoped that Jack Warner’s account could be reconciled and that the money would be relayed to the players.
On the purported dismal state of the current TTFF, Harford’s comments were to the contrary as he stated, “Not at all (referring to the TTFF being in trouble). I think the TTFF has the most wonderful opportunity to reinvent itself. We are out of the World Cup (2014 Brazil) but we have a few years (to improve) and the Under-23s (Men) are poised to do good things. The U- 17 (Girls) are doing well and in terms of the financial position, it is a fact that the TTFF does not have a lot of money but there are some sponsors that have remained loyal and the government has pledged its support for the U- 23s and the Girls U-17.”
Harford addressed the aforementioned issues as questions arose if the national youth teams would be collateral damage in this fiasco but remained adamant that sponsorship would not wane for these developing units.
The TTFF, in a late press release, confirmed their understanding of the High Court instructions, and acknowledged the seizure of assets, as well as corroborated Harford’s statements.
The release stated that the TTFF will continue to function as the elected governing body for football and the federation also maintained that the Ministry of Sport would be providing funding to the U-23 Mens and U-17 Girls teams, with the U-23s slated to train in Tobago this weekend before embarking on further training trips to Costa Rica and Orlando.
This team is then expected to head to California for the much anticipated final round of Olympic qualifying.
Also continuing, according to the press release, will be the TTFF FA Trophy Competition, with the round eight draw to be made today. The TTFF Executive Committee will also be meeting today and addressing the media at 4:30pm at the Harvard Sports Club.