Calls for calm as Robert Hadad, chairman of the T&T Football Association (TTFA) Normalisation Committee (NC), has confirmed to Guardian Media Sports that he has received correspondences from both the T&T Super League (TTSL) and the Northern Football Association (NFA) of the TTFA.
Hadad, one of three members of the FIFA-appointed NC to run and managed the sports for the next two years said yesterday that the NC will assess any officially communicated concerns based on its merit from TTFA members and will act accordingly.
However, he said, "The Normalisation Committee is not here to take over or run any of the affiliates but we will assist them and provide advice because we must make football attractive and workable for all stakeholders."
Regarding the annual general meeting (AGM) issue which is currently unfolding in the NFA, he said, "The Board of the NFA has convened an annual general meeting (AGM) for December 28, 2020. Once a meeting is called in accordance with the constitution, the Normalisation Committee will be willing to send representatives as per any official requests for such."
Asked if the NFA executive communicated to the NC about the NFA AGM he replied, "Yes, and the date the Normalisation Committee is aware of, is December 28, 2020 and we will do what we can to assist."
Hadad also confirmed receiving the letter from Jameson Rigues, the first vice president of the TTSL on Friday which raised concerns about the election of former “Strike Squad” captain Clayton “JB” Morris at a reconvened AGM on December 5 as president.
And, concerns regarding the unconstitutional suspension of members; and the convening of a closed AGM to elect a president.
Hadad said the NC will provide a response but insists, "The Normalisation Committee will not appear as if it is picking sides when disputes arise. All TTFA affiliates have their constitutions and that is their guide about how they need to operate and function."
Morris, who is the head coach of the TTSL team University of T&T (UTT) FC, replaced president Keith Look Loy, who resigned in October.
Morris will be in the position until August 2021 after he was elected by five out of 14 Super League clubs: Matura Re-United FC, Erin FC, Petit Valley/Diego Martin United (PVDMU), Guaya United FC and Cunupia FC.
Rigues is challenging the suspension of seven clubs that were not allowed to participate in the AGM and is seeking the help of the NC.
On September 22, 2019, the League suspended - Central 500 FC, Harlem Strikers FC, Marabella FCC, 1976 Phoenix FC, WASA FC, and Youth Stars FC for various reasons in 2018 and 2019. And, in January 2020 Defence Force was suspended.
Hadad said, "The current issues taking place in football is not good for the sport which depend on corporate T&T to finance its programmes at every level in the country. The business community and the government, two of football biggest stakeholders are looking on and we need to put our house in order to start earning confidence from all our stakeholders."
He said that one of the NC top priorities is to meet with stakeholders such as the managers of both the T&T Pro League and the TTSL to start charting a way forward.
Attorney Judy Daniel, the deputy chairman, and retired banker Nigel Romano are the other members of the NC which were appointed on March 17 by FIFA.
SOURCE: T&T Guardian