Pfister’s comment, German style

Those of us who read the news out of Bermuda, saw that coach Otto Pfister was reluctant to attend the press conference, despite the fact that the FIFA rules indicate that a member of the coaching staff of each team must be present at the postgame press conference. However, he was reported to have eventually showed up and gave a brief comment about the game and left.

No doubt, many would have thought that he was a bitter loser and demonstrated it by his quick remarks on the game and exit. Tuesday afternoon was different and following a big victory, the experienced German entered the press conference with an apparent bout of bitterness, not at the result nor the manner in which the team played, but about issues pertaining to the number of players who were not made available to him through having to travel out of the country on trials in Asia, America, and Africa.

Now, his fit of anger tended to make his message be viewed by those who gave preference to the manner of the man and the language which he used to describe the local players. Immediately, some viewed it as the previously typical colonial behaviour which saw the boss talking down to the workers in a tone which could instil fear into anyone who rejects straight talk and prefer to deal with matters of this nature differently.

Having studied in Germany and having to deal with blunt remarks by some as something which they consider to be fair dialogue, I was not surprised, but preferred if he had used some diplomacy, especially as he was trying desperately to gain support for the national team in the future. Those who were present at the post match drama, did not expect this rude awakening and certainly were not ready for the direction which he took, regarding the players who were not available to the team, because of one reason or another.

So that was the behaviour of the messenger who may not have won many friends in the process, because of what they perceived as arrogance and disrespect for the local players, clubs and some “illegal agents”, according to Pfister. But it is good sense to seek further information as to why these players were not available to our national team in an official World Cup competition.

Actually, the argument would never have arisen if the rules governing players’ availability for their national matches were followed to the letter. Firstly, any national players selected to represent the country in an official FIFA fixture must be released by his club five days before game day and all the clubs across the world are aware of this rule.

But surely, some of our players or clubs are unaware of this rule and a few players have left the country days before the match is to be played, for the purpose of attending trials with some club abroad or in some instances, getting a contract with a club abroad.

It will be foolish to deprive players and the clubs they represent from wanting to sell players in order to get revenue for their clubs. This is absolutely legal and acceptable the world over. But when these transactions are being made at times when the players involved in the national team fixtures are sent away by their clubs or agents, and are not available for the official matches, it simply means that the FIFA rule will have been broken.

Three questions need answers for this type of problem. The first is whether or not these players or clubs are aware of the rules. I distinctly recall a visit to T&T by FIFA experts from the players status committee, who were sent to educate the stakeholders about all the details relating to players, whether they be transfers, trials, the rights of clubs and also agents. The bad news is that only three professional club representatives saw it fit to attend this important meeting.

So when players leave this country for greater opportunities, they sometimes fail to notify the TTFF, which is in itself a violation, or they make themselves unavailable five days prior to an official game, which is a club violation.

But maybe the most blatant mistake is for the ruling body to sign a release letter on behalf of the players or the club, knowing that the player is needed for an official match. It should be interesting to hear from the ruling body as to the amount of information they have regarding players, who are travelling on trials or even on contract.

Then there are the irresponsible agents, many of whom are not licensed by FIFA, whose desire to make a fast buck, influence the young inexperienced players to sign on the dotted line, with promises which are often unrealistic and in many cases unproductive. There are a number of players who have been sent off trials and returned home with great promises from clubs abroad. I wonder if anyone has checked to see if these players have earned contracts.

The truth is, most of these players leave here with full knowledge that they will not qualify for a work permit in England, yet still, they persist in making the trips. So while I will always be pleased to see clubs earn transfer fees for players in order to pay their bills and stay afloat in our pro league, I know that there are correct ways to deal with such transactions.

The time is ripe for the serious dialogue on these topics. The TTFF must draw to the attention of players, clubs and the national coaching staff, the methods to be used for smooth operations regarding players in our national team. So, in this particular case, the message seems clearly more important than the messenger.

Nevertheless, the excitement which is raised by the national senior team and their convincing victory over the Bajans, will have been appropriate for the fans who saw four excellent goals as compensation for the much improved interpassing and moving game which we witnessed. And although I saw nothing of the Bermuda match, it was not difficult to recognise speculatively the problems which existed in a 90-minute game which the observers claim, produced seven good scoring chances.

In the Tuesday’s encounter, the movement of the ball by T&T when in possession was fluid, accurate and appeared as though the lads were fully in control. However, much of this type of possession was in their own half of the field and even when it seeped into the final third of the field, the effectiveness was replaced by incompetence from under prepared strikers, who neither ran into space nor remain as post up players so that the midfield can induce penetration.

Unfortunately, our strikers failed to function and it was left to the speedy Lester Peltier and crafty Kevin Molino to take the responsibility themselves, the former getting behind the defence through sheer speed and got the first goal.

The second half changes created a new image to the Warriors as Hayden Tinto and the much underrated Hughton Hector, turned a difficult task into a simple walk in the park. Quick wall passes in and among the opposing defence, caught them losing their defensive modes and allowing for passing lanes to appear regularly.

Not only did this type of play impress the fans, but it offered an insight into a valuable adjustment into the selection process, leaving a brighter light at the end of the tunnel when they oppose Guyana twice.

I will be surprised if this group of players, when joined by Darryl Roberts, Kenwyne Jones and Carlos Edwards, do not produce the quality of football that the people of this country would enjoy. What we need is a high sense of discipline and commitment to the task which will cause us all to even forget the brash remarks made recently.