Eastern Football Association (EFA) champions Valtrin climbed to the top of the standing in the Super League Qualifiers on Tuesday after Valencia failed to show for a rescheduled match at the Real Spring Recreation Ground in Valsayn, Valtrin’s home venue.
The no-show by the Eastern Counties Football Union (ECFU) winners meant Valtrin were handed full points and three goals, which would have placed them ahead on the table with a superior goal difference.
The standings were being led by Tobago champs Youth Stars with 10 points and a better goal difference than Carenage United of (+3).
Tuesday’s result, however, pushed the easterners to ten points and a superior goal difference of (+6) with only the top two teams advancing to the NGC-sponsored Super League. The T&T Guardian learnt, however, that Valtrin were not sure of qualifying as they had a disciplinary matter pending against them.
Sharon O’Brien, an official of the TTFA explained yesterday that if the Disciplinary Committee of the TTFA rules against Valtrin, it will cost them points and goals which will hamper their chances of qualifying for the Super League.
Valtrin has been accused of using unregistered players from teams in the Central Football Association (CFA), which Fire Services, the winner of the CFA protested about two weeks ago. Contacted, CFA officials confirmed that one player, Jamal Lucas from CFA club Chaguanas FC, represented the east club without being transferred or registered.
Central officials have also complained that a number of teams in their region, have filed concerns against Valtrin for snapping up their players without seeking transfers. Documentation of this is currently in the process of being sent to the disciplinary committee of the TTFA for a decision.
One CFA official said when he went through his association’s transfer documents he realised Lucas was still a Chaguanas CF player.
“He was not transferred or registered with Valtrin. Due to the requests by the TTFA for confirmation on the legitimacy of Lucas to play in the Super League qualifiers, we realised that a number of players were taken up by Valtrin for the play-off but were not transferred,” the CFA official said.
Yesterday, Valtrin manager Dexter Scott said he heard about the concern by Fire Services a long time ago but thought the matter had been dealt with. He described it as frivolous and felt it was meant to hamper his team’s stroll into the Super League for another year.
He also commented on the no-show of the Valencia team, saying it was unfortunate the match did not play on Tuesday as his players were looking forward to finish the qualifiers on a high.
If Valtrin is found guilty, both the Youth Stars and Carenage United, the Northern Football Association (NFA) champs will qualify for the Super League.
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