The T&T Football Federation (TTFA) yesterday denied that it has taken a decision to reduce the staff of the T&T Soca Warriors team.
It stated that the Association’s president David John-Williams, his vice presidents Ewing Davis and Joanne Salazar and Alvin Henderson, chairman of the technical committee, were part of the contingent who will be travelling with the team to witness the match again China on June 3, but no place could be found for Fuentes, Rampersad and Muhammed.
However, in a released signed by John-Williams and Fuentes, the Association stated: “The TTFA has taken no decision to reduce the staff of the men’s national senior team, not only for the ongoing three-match international tour, but also from a general standpoint as it relates to the operations of the national men’s team.
The TTFA previously approved the national senior team operating with one manager, as has been the case for four previous international matches this year, one international friendly against Grenada, the Copa America Centenario play-off with Haiti and two World Cup qualifying matches against St Vincent and the Grenadines.”
According to the release, Fuentes was invited by CONCACAF to attend a CONCACAF Champions League Summit and Media Officers Workshop in Miami, May 30-31 and was also chosen as the Media Officer for the League, adding the invitation was sent to him earlier this month.
It reminded that the association is well aware of the requirements of providing the necessary communication services as it relates to the activities of the national team and other activities of the association and promised it will continue its efforts to provide the necessary material and media updates pertaining to its various national teams and other matters of its organization.
According to the release “The TTFA will continue to facilitate the operations of the senior national team on a need to-need basis depending on the requirements necessary for the particular engagement.
“The organization will not and does not intend to make decisions that will negatively affect any of our national teams as it relates to operational staff.”
Fuentes, who has since distanced himself from the report, has travelled with the national team for the World Cup Qualifiers against St Vincent and the Grenadines, the Copa America play-off and the Women’s Olympic Qualifiers.