THE TRINIDAD and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) Board of Directors are expected to meet today, at the TTFA offices, located at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo, to discuss the current player strike issue.
On Thursday, the national squad, via a media release sent by captain Kenwyne Jones, expressed their desire to skip the forthcoming Copa America Centenario qualifying play-offs, which will take place in Panama City, Panama on January 8, until their outstanding match fees were paid.
And team vice-captain Jan-Michael Williams, in a brief telephone interview yesterday, pointed out, “it was agreed for the guys not to say anything, no response until we see what’s going on.” Concerning today’s meeting, Williams noted, “we have a lot of things that we need in terms of the national (men’s) team (which) we have outlined in the press release that we sent. We’re just waiting until we see where they’re heading in terms of everything that we’ve outlined.” However, the TTFA is yet to withdraw the national men’s football team from participating in the Copa America Centenario qualifying play-offs.
David John-Williams, president of the TTFA, noted in a telephone interview that “I haven’t had any such questions” regarding if the TTFA has officially pulled out from the Copa America qualifiers.
Trinidad and Tobago are scheduled to face Haiti in one of two matches on the day, at the aforementioned venue, with hosts Panama due to meet Cuba in the other contest. The winners of both games will advance to the 16-team Copa America Centenario, which will be staged in the United States from June 3-26.
Referring to a media release issued by the TTFA on Friday evening, John-Williams pointed out, that is as much as we will say with regards to that matter until we have something further to put out. The matter has been ventilated in the public already and that is as much as we will say at this time. Until we have something further to say, it remains that way.”
John-Williams went on to state, “the players said they’re not playing until they get paid so you never know what could work out between now and then. If the players get paid in the morning, I guess the strike is off. If they come and get paid on the 27th, I guess the strike is off. That’s as much as we can say at this point in time.”
Asked if the Ministry of Sport, the Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago (SPoRTT ) or corporate sponsors will help offset the payment to the national men’s team, John-Williams replied, “I cannot say anything on that matter until something happens. The Board meets on Wednesday (today). If we have anything coming out of that Board meeting, we’ll certainly let (the public) know. If nothing comes out, I would certainly let (it be known) also.”
The Board of Directors comprises Samuel Saunders, Sherwin Dyer, Richard Quan Chan, Karanjabari Williams, Anthony Moore, Joseph Taylor, Dexter Skeene and Sharon O’Brien.