Fifa Vice President Austin Jack Warner has said he will be going to football’s governing body to force Aston Villa to allow its left back Jlloyd Samuel to play for Trinidad and Tobago in its crucial World Cup play-off against Bahrain.
Warner confirmed that Leo Beenhakker has was impressed with Samuel and wants him to be part of the team for the home match on November 12.
Warner said that while it was up to Fifa to make a final decision, he was confident that the world governing body would decide in this country’s favour.
He said: “Once the coach say he wants him, then he will have him and the coach says he wants him.”
Samuel, a 24-year-old defender from Aston Vila, is qualified to play for both Trinidad and Tobago and England and has recently indicated a willingness to represent T&T.
However, Warner says Aston Villa is insisting that Samuel is not qualified to play for this country because they “do not wish to release him.”
He said: “Aston Villa tell us he is not available. Who is Aston Villa? They say he is not qualified. Who is Aston Villa? Give me a break.”
Warner also said it was pressure from the public in Jamaica which in part led to Bahrain calling off the camp in Jamaica.