The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) has stated that it has already paid $10 million to members of the 2006 World Cup team, and that an outstanding final $1.9 million settlement will come from development funds issued from FIFA and CONCACAF, the international bodies which govern football in this region.
The financially-challenged TTFA was responding to threats on Friday by the former World Cup footballers to “wind up” the local football body.
Several years ago, the players initially took court action against the local Association, arguing that they were promised a percentage of 2006 World Cup monies by former TTFA special adviser Jack Warner.
However, on the appointment of Raymond Tim Kee as new TTFA president, the parties reached an out of court settlement last year, which the players now argued has been breached.
The TTFA stated by a press release yesterday that it is making every effort to conclude the matter soon.
“The TTFA also wishes to advise that over $10 million dollars has been given to the players since the new TTFA administration reached settlement in June 2013,” the release stated.
It said that $1.2 million of the scheduled $3.1 million payment was made and the remaining balance of $1.9 million is scheduled to come from development funds.”
“We have the assurance of FIFA and CONCACAF that all our obligations will be met in the interest of football.
“The TTFA is also engaging partnerships with FIFA, CONCACAF, the Ministry of Sport, Ministry of Tourism and our corporate partners to move football forward in Trinidad and Tobago,” the TTFA release added.
The TTFA also termed as “erroneous” assertions that it has the ability to target past leaders and advisers of the former TTFF to recoup $100 million in funds accumulated during the 2006 World Cup campaign.
“Firstly, even if the TTFA was inclined to engage in an expensive and resource- draining legal battle to recover any amount of funds from the 2006 World Cup campaign, the statute of limitations to engage in such an endeavor expired some time ago.
Secondly, between 2007 and 2012, international football in Trinidad and Tobago was adversely affected, in large part, due to the protracted legal battle that took place between the former TTFF and the 2006 players.
The TTFA is of the firm belief that it would not be in the best interest of Trinidad and Tobago football to engage in another protracted legal struggle,” the relase said.
RELATED NEWS
Football uninterrupted despite Soca Warriors threat.
T&T Guardian Reports.
The recent communication from the 2006 World Cup players to “wind up” the TTFA, has been noted by the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association but the TTFA is now assuring the public that their operations will continue uninterrupted.
The TTFA sent out a press statement last evening which indicated: ”The TTFA also wishes to advise that over $10 million dollars has been given to the players since the new TTFA administration reached settlement in June 2013. $1.2 million of the scheduled $3.1 million payment was made and the remaining balance of $1.9 million is scheduled to come from development funds.
“We have the assurance of FIFA and CONCACAF that all our obligations will be met in the interest of football. The TTFA is also engaging partnerships with FIFA, CONCACAF, the Ministry of Sport, Ministry of Tourism and our corporate partners to move football forward in Trinidad and Tobago.
“Through such collaborations, Trinidad and Tobago can expect to see the creation of a National Training Academy, an expanded and exciting National Super League, increased amount of development programs for coaches, referees and players, and the emergence of an unprecedented merchandise and licensing program.
“The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association is also poised to present one of the most robust and substantive periods of international football in Trinidad and Tobago history following a 2013 which saw the most amount of international football played since the build up to the 2006 World Cup.
“In May, the Senior Men’s National Team will begin preparations for their matches against Argentina and Iran, while our Senior Women’s National Team will begin their Campaign To Canada 2015 with proposed matches against Venezuela in June and the hosting of the CFU Championship in August.
“On the youth side, the U-15 Girls and U-17 Boys national pool is currently working towards final team selection for the CONCACAF U-15 Championship in August and CFU U-17 Tournament in late July, respectively. The Men’s U-20 team will soon be assembled for the CFU Championship in September which will be hosted in T&T.
The 13 players involved in the bonus agreement are: David Atiba Charles, Cornell Glen, Cyd Gray, Shaka Hislop, Kelvin Jack, Avery John, Stern John, Kenwyne Jones, Collin Samuel, Brent Sancho, Aurtis Whitley, Evans Wise and Anthony Wolfe.