Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) presidential candidate, Raymond Tim Kee, has denied “malicious rumours” which claimed that his candidacy is being supported by National Security Minister and ex-FIFA vice president Jack Warner.
Tim Kee is one of two nominees for the TTFF elections on 11 November 2012 along with Carib Brewery sponsorship and events manager, Colin Murray.
Warner, who quit all football posts on 20 June 2011 to escape bribery charges from FIFA, is forbidden from being involved in the sport at any level and the TTFF could face international sanctions if he is felt to be influencing the local body.
Tim Kee said today that Warner is not backing his campaign and said it was actually the former TTFF special advisor’s absence which influenced him to run in the first place.
“We have no relationship at all,” Tim Kee told Wired868. “Absolutely none. And the people spreading these rumours know that there is none.”
Tim Kee blamed the rumours on unnamed TTFF employees who were supposedly campaigning on Murray’s behalf. However, he accepted Murray’s assurance that his rival was not waging a dirty campaign.
“I do not know that Colin is of the ilk to do that,” he said. “I called him and said that I don’t know him to be like that and he defended himself. We know that there are people who may be enthused that may have taken this direction.
“Maybe they didn’t stop to think about how badly it reflects on who they believe they are representing.”
Tim Kee worked as a TTFF vice-president for over a decade but said he resigned, three years ago, after he began to feel alienated within the executive committee. He hinted that Warner was behind his exit and the fall-out was political in nature.
Tim Kee boasted about being an active member of the People’s National Movement (PNM).
Politics notwithstanding, the Guardian Life executive is confident of a harmonious relationship with the Ministry of Sport.