TTFF, Soca Warriors get new court date

The matter came up for hearing yesterday before Justice Rajendra Narine and has been adjourned to November 8, when a panel will adjudicate over the proceedings.

Attorney Kelvin Ramkissoon appeared on behalf of the TTFF, while attorney Dave DePeiza is seeking the interests of the footballers.

The appeal comes on the heels of Rampersad's July 29, ruling, in which the TTFF were ordered to honour their bonus agreement with the players. The judge also ordered the TTFF to absorb the legal costs on behalf of the players.

Local court proceedings were initially filed in November 2008, at the Port of Spain High Court, where the 16 players demanded the High Court enforce the judgement of the London-based Sport Dispute Resolution Panel (SDRP).

The SDRP had ruled in May 2008, that under the terms of a contract agreed by FIFA executive committee member and the TTFF special adviser Jack Warner, the Soca Warriors were owed 50 per cent of all 2006 World Cup commercial revenue.

The footballers in their lawsuit had requested an interim payment of roughly $1.8 million each and their share of the $88 million which the TTFF claimed to have received as World Cup commercial revenue.

However, the TTFF claimed that a breach of confidentiality by the players meant they were (TTFF) were no longer obligated by the agreement.

Following weeks of arguments, Rampersad ruled in favour of the players.

Within hours of receiving Rampersad's ruling, the TTFF and by extension president Oliver Camps appealed Rampersad's decision seeking to have it nullified.

The players who filed the lawsuit are Marvin Andrews, Shaka Hislop, Kelvin Jack, Atiba Charles, Cyd Gray, Ian Cox, Avery John, Brent Sancho, Chris Birchall, Aurtis Whitley, Collin Samuel, Evans Wise, Anthony Wolfe, Cornell Glen, Kenwyne Jones and Stern John.