Clubs hit with $43,250 in fines.
Digicel Pro League leaders, bmobile Joe Public and United Petrotrin players were hit with a total of $43,250 in fines in addition to having some key players fined and banned.
This was stated in a release by the Pro League signed by its chief executive officer, Dexter Skeene, yesterday following the completion of investigation by the disciplinary committee headed by chairman—attorney Tyrone Marcus, Frank Sealey, Paul Regis, Beverly Cruickshank and Ricardo Williams, with regards to an incident involving both clubs on July 4.
The release stated that the committee met on three occasions (July 8; 12 and 15) at the league’s Curepe office to preside over the matter which took place at Petrotrin Ground in Palo Seco. Joe Public’s midfielders Gorian Highley and Dales Saunders and Aurtis Whitley were all red carded by referee Rashby Mc Phie. The reports of the officiating referee and match commissioner were both taken into account by the committee and after careful review and the viewing of video evidence and interviewing all parties identified in the incident the decisions were taken.
Joe Public who climbed to the top of the table on Tuesday night after a 5-3 win over St Ann’s Rangers was hit with a club fine of $13,000, while its guilty players were hit with a total fine of $9,250. The hardest hit Joe Public players was Colombian goalkeeper, Alejandro Figueroa who was banned for eight consecutive matches and fined $4,000, for striking an opponent with an object and attacking players physically. Two years ago, Figueroa also faced the league’s disciplinary committee and was slapped with a two-match ban for an incident involving former Clico San Juan Jabloteh coach, Englishman Terry Fenwick. Joe Public’s utility player Seon Power, was banned for six consecutive matches and fined $2,000.
Other members of the “Eastern Lions” club who were slapped with bans included Gorian Highley (three matches, $1,500 fine), midfileder Hayden Tinto (two matches, $750 fine) and striker Carlyle Mitchell (three matches, $1,000 fine). Highley has already served a match suspension. Petrotrin and its players were equally hit hard by the disciplinary committee of the league who handed the club a $15,000 fine for failing to control its players. In addition Ian Williams was handed a seven-match ban and a $2,000 fine, and team-mate Wesley Frederick, who attacked players physically during the fracas was banned for six consecutive matches and fined $2,000.
Williams is also banned from participating in Reserve Division matches until he serves his suspension time in the Championship Division. Other members of the Petrotrin team who were handed suspensions or fines were Kennedy Hinkson (two matches, $750) and national Under-20 goalkeeper Glenroy Samuel (two matches, $750) while former national defender Cyd Gray escaped with being reprimanded and fined $1,000.
Heavy punishment handed out to brawlers.
By: Ian Prescott (T&T Express).
United Petrotrin and Joe Public yesterday had nine of their players banned and both clubs were also fined for failure to control their players after the Digicel Pro League handed down their decision on a brawl between the clubs.
The League's disciplinary committee met on Wednesday July 8, Sunday July 12 and again on Wednesday July 15 to preside over the matter regarding United Petrotrin and Joe Public who were involved in a physical brawl on July 4 at the Palo Seco Recreation Ground. United Petrotrin were fined $15,000, while Joe Public were hit in the pocket to the tune of $13,000.
In addition, five Joe Public players were suspended from playing matches. Petrotrin also had four players banned, while former T&T defender Cyd Gray was reprimanded and fined $1,000.
Yesterday, the Pro League released its decision which came after looking at the reports of the officiating referee and match commissioner. The disciplinary committee also interviewed players and looked at a tape of the event before making their decision.
A Pro League media release yesterday also stated that both Joe Public and Petrotrin had until August 28 to pay their fines.
The hardest hit player was Joe Public's Colombian keeper Alejandro Figueroa, who was banned for eight consecutive matches and fined $4,000 - for violent conduct and involvement in a brawl. Petrotrin's Ian Williams was banned for seven matches.
The player is also unable to participate in any reserve league matches until he serves his time in the Pro League. Williams has also been fined $2,000. Seon Power (Joe Public) and Wesley Frederick (Petrotrin) were both charged with violent conduct and involvement in a brawl. For striking an opponent and attacking players physically, they were both banned for six games and fined $2000.
DIGICEL PRO LEAGUE DISCIPLINARY CHARGES:
United Petrotrin - fined in the sum of $15,000 for failure to control players.
Ian Williams - "involvement in a brawl". Banned for seven consecutive matches and fined in the sum of $2000.
Wesley Fredrick - "involvement in a brawl". Banned for six consecutive matches and fined in the sum of $2000.
Glenroy Samuel - "involvement in a brawl". Banned for two two consecutive matches and fined in the sum of $750.
Cyd Gray - "involvement in a brawl". Has been reprimanded and fined in the sum of $1000.
Kennedy Hinkson - "involvement in a brawl". Banned for two consecutive matches and fined $750.
Joe Public Football Club - fined in the sum of $13,000 for failure to control players.
Alejandro Figueroa - "violent conduct and involvement in a brawl" - Banned for eight consecutive matches and fined $4,000.
Seon Power - Banned for six consecutive matches and fined in the sum of $2,000.
Carlyle Mitchell - Banned for three consecutive matches and fined in the sum of $1,000.
Hayden Tinto - Banned for two consecutive matches and fined in the sum of $750.
Gorian Highley - Banned for three consecutive matches (inclusive of the automatic one match suspension which was already served) and fined $1,500.
Joe Public, Petrotrin file appeals.
By: Randy Bando (ttproleague).
The TT Pro League wishes to advise that United Petrotrin and Bmobile Joe Public have officially submitted notices of appeals in writing which will be lodged with the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation(TTFF).
United Petrotrin and Joe Public both filed appeals on Thursday following decisions by the Disciplinary Committee after investigations on a brawl incident during their Round One clash at the Palo Seco Recreation Ground.
The appeal means that the matter will be forwarded to the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation(TTFF) which will now deliberate on the findings.
On Wednesday both United Petrotrin and Joe Public received fines and suspensions amounting to a total of TT$43,750 and a total 39 match bans after the Disciplinary Committee had deliberated on the matter in three separate instances(Wednesday 8 July, Sunday 12 July and Wednesday 15 July).
TT Pro League CEO Dexter Skeene stated: “The TT Pro League Disciplinary Committe has ruled and principles of natural justice must apply whereby clubs are allowed to appeal decisions of the Disciplinary Committee. The League stands by its ideals of fair-play and integrity and will now forward the matter to the Appeals Committee of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation(TTFF).”
On Saturday 4 July following a goalless draw in their Round One Match Day Eight encounter both clubs were involved in a brawl as reported by the officiating Referee and Match Commissioner.
And after careful review of the incident and having viewed video evidence as well as interviewing all parties identified in the incident, the Disciplinary Committee has taken the following decision with regard to each club.
Full Rulings
United Petrotrin Football Club - “Failure to control players”
The club has been charged with the inability to control its players which resulted in an all out brawl. The club has been fined in the sum of $15,000.00 which is to be paid on or before Friday 28th August 2009.
Ian Williams – “Violent conduct and involvement in a brawl”
For striking an opponent and attacking players physically, has been banned for seven (7) consecutive pro league matches. The player is also unable to participate in any reserve league matches until he serves his time in the pro league. The player has also been fined $2000.00 which is to be paid on or before 2:30pm on Monday 24th August 2009.
Wesley Fredrick – “Violent conduct and involvement in a brawl”
For striking an opponent, has been banned for six (6) consecutive matches and fined in the sum of $2000.00 which is to be paid on or before 2:30pm on Friday 21st August 2009.
Glenroy Samuel – “Involvement in a brawl”
For being directly involved in the brawl and being seen making attempts to strike players, has been banned for two (2) consecutive matches and fined in the sum of $750.00 which is to be paid on or before 2:30pm on Friday 31st July 2009.
Cyd Gray – “Involvement in a brawl”
For being directly involved in a brawl, has been reprimanded and fined in the sum of $1000.00. This fine is to be paid on or before Friday 31st July 2009.
Kennedy Hinkson – “Involvement in a brawl”
For being involved in a brawl, has been banned for two (2) consecutive matches and fined in the sum of $750.00 which is to be paid on or before Friday 31st July 2009.
Joe Public Football Club - “Failure to control players”
The club has been charged with the inability to control its players which resulted in an all out brawl. The club has been fined in the sum of $13,000.00 which is to be paid on or before Friday 28th August 2009.
Alejandro Figueroa – “Violent conduct and involvement in a brawl”
For striking an opponent with an object and attacking players physically, has been banned for eight (8] consecutive matches and fined $4000.00 which is to be paid on or before 2:30pm on Thursday 27th August 2009.
Seon Power – “Violent conduct and involvement in a brawl”
For striking an opponent, has been banned for six (6) consecutive matches and fined in the sum of $2000.00 which is to be paid on or before 2:30pm on Friday 21st August 2009.
Carlyle Mitchell – “Involvement in a brawl”
For being directly involved in the brawl and being seen making attempts to strike players, has been banned for three (3) consecutive matches and fined in the sum of $1000.00 which is to be paid on or before 2:30pm on Monday 03rd August 2009.
Hayden Tinto – “Involvement in a brawl”
For being directly involved in a brawl, has been banned for two (2) consecutive matches and fined in the sum of $750.00 which is to be paid on or before 2:30pm on Friday 31st July 2009.
Gorian Highley – “Involvement in a brawl”
For being directly involved in a brawl, has been banned for three (3) consecutive matches (inclusive of the automatic one match suspension which was already served) and fined in the sum of $1500.00 which is to be paid on or before 2:30pm on Friday 31st July 2009.
Joe Public cry foul.
...Warner says sanctions on 'Eastern Lions' unfair
By: Kern De Freitas (T&T Express).
Bmobile Joe Public FC have raised the possibility of a "hidden agenda" against them in the Digicel Pro League's disciplinary ruling Wednesday, which saw nine players being handed bans for their part in a July 4 brawl with members of United Petrotrin.
The Pro League leaders have already lodged an "official appeal" after five of their players received bans and fines, as indicated in a strongly-worded letter sent to Pro League CEO Dexter Skeene yesterday.
The Express also understands that Petrotrin are appealing their punishments as well, with the appeals expected to be heard by the T&T Football Federation.
Daryll Warner, managing director for the "Eastern Lions", questioned whether his club were given a raw deal because of their relationship with sponsors bmobile, the main competitors of fellow regional mobile phone giant, Digicel.
"It seems from our viewpoint that the there is the possibility of a hidden agenda within the confines of the T&T Pro League," Warner said, citing the "lack of due diligence and adherence to all articles of the 2009 FIFA disciplinary code" as the cause for his club's concern.
Firstly, according to Joe Public, there is a "clear case of a conflict of interest" with match commissioner Lennox Pilgrim, who they said was a former Petrotrin employee.
"Based on this, the match report of the match commissioner lacks credibility and ought to be treated as tainted," the letter said.
Joe Public defender Seon Power, midfielders Carlyle Mitchell and Hayden Tinto, goalie Alejandro Figueroa, and striker Gorean Highley all received bans and fines.
Figueroa was the most harshly sanctioned player, with a $4,000 fine and eight-match ban.
The other United Petrotrin players punished were Ian Williams (seven-match ban, $2,000 fine), Wesley Frederick (six matches, $2,000), Glenroy Samuel (two matches, $750) and Kennedy Hinkson (two matches, $750).
Joe Public were fined $13,000 for failing to control their players and Petrotrin $15,000.
Warner also claimed that the latter three, Figueroa, Highley and Tinto, were not given their chance to answer charges stemming from the violent incident, with Highley being the only one interviewed for his red card that was not related to the incident.
The letter also queried the lack of action taken against United Petrotrin players who ran off the bench to join the brawl, and questioned the fact that former national defender Cyd Gray of Petrotrin was only reprimanded, yet his fine was more than Tinto's, who suffered a two-match ban on the same charge, "involvement in a brawl".
"Where is the parity?" Warner asked.
Joe Public have also requested that the Pro League deduct their fines from the "unpaid 2008 T&T Pro League prize monies we are yet to collect" from the League.
"If this is not possible," Warner said, "do advise us in writing of same so that we can forward your reply to our legal representatives to pursue (the matter) further."