AUSTIN JACK WARNER, FIFA vice-president and T&T Football Federation special advisor, yesterday revealed that the federation lost close to $4 million with the cancellation of a warm-up match against Brazil.
Last month, Warner said that T&T was set to host a big country in a match described as the “Mother of all matches” on March 31, as part of its Germany 2006 World Cup Finals preparations.
However, following the World Cup draw held in Leipzig last Friday, Warner and members of the T&T technical staff were forced to re-arrange their international warm-up schedule.
Speaking at a media briefing at the VIP Lounge, Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo yesterday, Warner said up to last week’s visit to Leipzig, where the World Cup draw was held, T&T had two matches scheduled for February 8 and March 31.
He said because of pressures put on FIFA by the European clubs, particularly those belonging to the G-14 group, a change in the time frame for warm-up matches had to be made.
“We had already received the commitment from Brazil that all their players would have been available. However, because it is not a Fifa-stipulated date for friendlies, the clubs will not be compelled and obliged to release their players.”
Explaining how finances would have been generated from the match, Warner said: “The cost of tickets for the covered stands would have been $500, while grounds would have been $300, but the day after the draw, we were advised that the match had to be put off.”
Warner said the clubs were making several demands on FIFA and it was felt that FIFA had to reduce the number of friendly matches to one (March 1).
Warner, who is also the president of Concacaf, said he was not ruling out a game against the World champions. “It may still take place one day, but not in March.
He added: “T&T is the only team which has qualified for the World Cup finals which will not be playing a friendly match in front of their home fans.
“That’s unprecedented in the sport and—unlike the USA—Mexico and Costa Rica, who can still field a top-quality, home-based team to play warm-up matches, we don’t have that luxury.
“It’s no point in having a team of heart-less players out there, just to satisfy your supporters.”
Warner said that all was not lost, as T&T would be playing Wales in West London, more than likely at Tottenham Spurs’ home ground (The Valley), while the team would also be training at Queen’s Park Rangers’ ground.
Warner pointed out that Simpaul Travel Service, the official travel agent of the T&T/Germany 2006 World Cup, was in the process of finalising plans for a charter to England for the match (March 1).
“For that match, we intend to take all facets of our culture to England, as part as a trial run.”
While in Germany, coach Leo Beenhakker made contact with the Wales Football officials and they were informed of our plans to have the match shifted from Cardiff to London.