The Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation and LOC Germany 2006 Ltd. wish to disassociate themselves, both individually and collectively from the racist comments or any comments that may be interpreted as racist, that were made by David Nakhid in an interview on national television on the morning of Tuesday October 11, 2005.
FIFA, of which the T&TFF is a member, is well aware of the power of sport (and especially football) to combat racism and violence, and is totally committed to taking steps to eradicate these pernicious trends in society and football. No. 7 in the FIFA Code of Ethics is also very clear. “Reject corruption, drugs, racism, violence, gambling and other dangers to our sport”.
Both T&TFF and LOC Germany 2006 are organizations that pride themselves on the respect that they hold for all individuals and groups regardless of race or religion. The objectives of both institutions are the development and promotion of football in Trinidad and Tobago and this we do to the best of our ability with the resources we have at our disposal.
Mr. David Nakhid was hired by the T&TFF to assist the senior National Team in its efforts to qualify for the 2006 FIFA World Cup Tournament to be held in Germany. He is not a spokesperson for either the T&TFF or LOC Germany 2006 Ltd and the views expressed by Mr. Nakhid are therefore not the views of either the T&TFF or LOC Germany 2006.
On behalf of the T&TFF and LOC Germany 2006, we hereby apologise unreservedly to the national community and especially to the Syrian community towards whom the comments made my Mr. Nakhid were directed and once again affirm our total respect and regard for all human beings regardless of race or religion.
Submitted
Richard Groden
General Secretary
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Jack Warner
Chairman
LOC Germany 2006.