[UPDATED] FIFA raises stakes on Trinidad and Tobago

 In this file photo taken on June 2, 2015, the FIFA logo is pictured at the FIFA headquarters  in Zurich. (AFP PHOTO) -
In this file photo taken on June 2, 2015, the FIFA logo is pictured at the FIFA headquarters in Zurich. (AFP PHOTO) -

FIFA has raised the stakes on the TT Football Association (TTFA), via a World Cup warning, with regards to its suspension of the local governing body on September 24.

FIFA suspended the TTFA two weeks ago for grave violation of FIFA Statutes. The former TTFA executive, led by William Wallace, missed the September 23 deadline to withdraw its legal challenge to FIFA, over the world governing body’s decision to remove the TTFA hierarchy in March, over mounting debts and install a normalisation committee, led by Robert Hadad.

The global governing body has insisted that they want the case to be heard at the Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) but the TTFA want the TT High Court to determine the matter.

FIFA secretary general Fatma Samoura issued a letter, via e-mail, to Hadad on Tuesday, stating that the 2022 FIFA World Cup Concacaf Zone Qualifiers are set to begin in March 2021. “The organisation of such competition entails complex logistical and operational matters intensified by the covid19 crisis,” Samoura wrote. “In view of this, FIFA has decided that, in order to ensure that proper preparation and planning of the participant teams, if the suspension imposed on the TTFA is not lifted by 6 pm Central European Time (noon TT time) on December 18, we have no choice to exclude the TTFA from participating in the Concacaf World Cup qualifiers.”

If the suspension is not lifted by December 18, TT will be replaced by Antigua/Barbuda at the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup qualifiers.

The normalisation committee “has necessarily ceased all operational and management functions over the TTFA” due to FIFA’s suspension of the TTFA membership.

But FIFA insisted “the only legitimate leadership of the TTFA, recognised by FIFA and Concacaf, is the one led by Hadad.”

Wallace is hopeful this issue can move a step closer to a resolution by Friday when High Court judge Carol Gobin is expected to rule on the matter involving the ousted TTFA executive (Wallace and his deputies Clynt Taylor and Joseph Sam Phillip) and FIFA’s Bureau Council, who replaced them with the normalisation committee.

“I think all of this will be over by Friday,” said Wallace. “Hopefully, by Friday, everything should be settled.”

Asked to elaborate, Wallace replied, “Everything that we have done, we have done in the interest of TT football, contrary to what other people think. I think settling in a positive way.”

A week ago, Hadad insisted that he was not “in charge” of TT football, but FIFA’s letter on Tuesday stated otherwise. Wallace said, “That is something that Hadad needs to clear up, with regards to (him) saying that he’s not in charge and FIFA saying that he’s in charge.”

Also calling for good sense to prevail in this ongoing saga was TT men’s coach Terry Fenwick.

“It’s going on longer than anticipated, longer than necessary, in my opinion,” said Fenwick. “I want to get my backroom staff together. I need to be working on the ground and ensure we’ve got the best squad available for the competitive games coming up.

“We recognise that there is a ten-day FIFA window right now and we’re not doing anything. I need to be out on the ground with my players. At the moment, football has taken a back seat, it’s just politics here in (TT).”

Another problem afflicting TT football is the covid19 restrictions which have prevented contact sports from taking place.

“Covid19 actually is not helping,” said Fenwick. “There is football all over the world. I’m seeing every league all over the world playing games and we’re not. So that’s a concern, the players (and) youngsters on the ground are not playing football at any level. That is actually because of the politicking that is going on behind the scenes.”

He added, “We’re falling well-behind, even within teams in (the) Caribbean that have got development programmes up and running.”

Concerning Friday’s court matter between the TTFA and the FIFA Bureau Council, Fenwick noted, “We’ve heard those same things before and it hasn’t happened, and the fight continues.

“I would have hoped that we could have had discussions from the top people to see where they can move things forward, whether there could be indeed a collaboration, so we’re helping each other to resolve this situation. The only thing it’s damaging is the youngsters on the ground.”

Hadad, via a Whatsapp message on Tuesday, was asked to comment on the letter, as well as FIFA’s confirmation that he was the legitimate leader of TT football. The normalisation committee head did not respond up to press time.

This story was originally published with the title "FIFA issues World Cup warning to TTFA" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

FIFA has issued a World Cup warning to the TT Football Association (TTFA), with regards to its suspension of the local governing body on September 24.

FIFA suspended the TTFA two weeks ago for grave violation of FIFA Statutes. The former TTFA executive, led by William Wallace, missed the September 23 deadline to withdraw its legal challenge to FIFA, over FIFA’s decision to remove the TTFA hierarchy, over mounting debts, and install a normalisation committee, led by Robert Hadad.

FIFA secretary general Fatma Samoura issued a letter, via e-mail, to Hadad on Tuesday, stating that the 2022 FIFA World Cup Concacaf Zone Qualifiers are set to begin in March 2021.

“The organisation of such competition entails complex logistical and operational matters intensified by the covid19 crisis,” Samoura wrote. “In view of this, FIFA has decided that, in order to ensure that proper preparation and planning of the participant teams, if the suspension imposed on the TTFA is not lifted by 6 pm Central European Time (noon TT time) on December 18, we have no choice to exclude the TTFA from participating in the Concacaf World Cup qualifiers.”

If the suspension is not lifted by December 18, TT will be replaced by Antigua/Barbuda at the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup qualifiers.

The normalisation committee “has necessarily ceased all operational and management functions over the TTFA” due to FIFA’s suspension of the TTFA membership.

But FIFA insisted “the only legitimate leadership of the TTFA, recognised by FIFA and Concacaf, is the one led by Hadad.”

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"[UPDATED] FIFA raises stakes on Trinidad and Tobago"

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