"Let me make it abundantly clear the T&T Pro League remains deeply committed to the best interest of football in Trinidad and Tobago and will continue to cooperate with all the stakeholders be it Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation(TTFF),Soca Warrior Coach Beenhakker,the Super League and TTFF Special advisor Jack Warner. But it must be on the basis of mutual respect and sincerity."
These were the sentiments of Pro League chairman Larry Romany when asked to comment on the view expressed in a recent interview by CL Financial Jabloteh Coach Terry Fenwick that the Pro League and Super League should not be running side by side and that there should be one League.
Last year, the Pro League discussed and agreed with the TTFF on a proposal for a promotion and demotion play-off between the Pro League and the Super League.
There was a caveat however, that promoted teams from the Super League must be able to meet the financial requirements of the Pro league which primarily is an obligation and a duty to ensure that players will be paid.
"One has to appreciate that the Pro league players are fully professional and the Super League players aside from those on the Warner family's JOE PUBLIC are not in that regard. There is absolutely no concern about Joe Public," Romany said.
Romany said that while he respects the right of anyone to have their own view, the T&T Pro League board has fully discussed and agreed that the Pro League and Super League can coexist and that the determination as to the best teams in the country ought not to be a subjective or board room decision.
"Let it be decided on the field of play," he said. "I cannot understand why anyone in the T&T Football fraternity is reluctant or fearful of a Pro League/Super League promotion demotion play-off. It happens in major football playing nations."
Romany stressed that The Pro league has an excellent and extremely cordial relationship with Anthony Harford and the Super League organisers.
And he highlighted the fact that to play in the Super League, teams must come through the various TTFF zones and compete in a playoff.
Romany said that this has created a competitive structure that can only benefit the development of Trinidad and Tobago football.
The Pro League chairman also took the opportunity to commend Fenwick on his public apology for his involvement in a brawl in the Toyota Classic final last month.
"He has taken full responsibility for his actions and that is to his credit. We are all human and will make mistakes. His apology sends the right message
to the young footballers I appreciate that". said Romany
"That whole issue has been a learning experience for the League as it has shown us that what happens when someone is banned has to be clearly defined. The letter and spirit of when one is banned must be codified. There must not be grey areas".