Relief for TT footballers stuck in El Salvador

THE TT Football Association (TTFA), led by the FIFA normalisation committee, has worked with the Unicomer Group and the El Salvador Football Federation to ensure that TT footballers Jomal Williams, Jamal Jack and Jomoul Francois, are kept safe and healthy until they can make their way back home, in light of covid19 restrictions.

The players, who have each represented the national men's team, are stuck in El Salvador. They were playing in the El Salvador Primera Division for the 2019/20 season before the pandemic started to make an impact.

A TTFA media release said the players were facing increasing pressure to meet their daily demands after government lockdowns in the Central American nation, and the cancellation of the remainder of the season.

Defender Jack offered his appreciation to all those involved in making the provisions possible.

“Mr Hadad, a heartfelt thanks to you and your team for reaching out to us. We really appreciate what you did for us,” stated Jack. “I am sincerely grateful for the assistance.”

Jack and Francois joined El Salvadorian clubs Jocoro FC and Independiente FC San Vicente respectively in January 2020, while compatriot Williams signed for AD Isidro Metapan in July 2019.

The release said, “In March 2020, the Government of El Salvador declared a national quarantine in the fight against covid19 and imposed strict measures to reduce the spread of the virus which has directly limited the footballers movements and access to food and other supplies.

“Managing director of Unicomer (Trinidad) Ltd Clive Fletcher liaised with Unicomer Group CEO Mario Siman to ensure that the players are now housed together and taken care of until TT’s borders are reopened.”

The Unicomer Group operates in 27 countries from its headquarters in El Salvador.

The TTFA release thanked all those who helped and said the TTFA will keep in contact with the TT footballers.

“TTFA would also like to acknowledge the tremendous assistance offered by Meybely Lopez and the president of the El Salvador Football Federation, and the players clubs in making the arrangements possible. TTFA will continue to communicate with the players to ensure that they are as comfortable as possible until their return and thanks the Unicomer Group and the El Salvador Football Federation for their continued support.”