TTFA, TTSL in All-Star showdown

On Monday, the TT FA issued a media release, which stated that they does not have the authority to sanction the All-Star game.

“The (TT FA) wishes to further confirm that it has, in fact, made a request to FIFA to have the match sanctioned and is currently awaiting their approval,” said the TT FA in their media release.

The local governing body for football continued, “The (TT FA) will also like to place on record that it was only on the 29th of August it received from the TTS L information requested since early August by the FA to support the TTS L’s application to send to FIFA.

“The TT FA will in no way attempt to stall an event of this magnitude which is intended to aid the promotion of the sport in Trinidad and Tobago and the region.” The TT FA also quoted, from its constitution, Article 78 – which states that the Authority for organising international matches and competitions between representative teams and between leagues, club teams and/or scratch teams lies solely with FIFA, the Confederation( s) and/or the Association( s) concerned; and Article 79 – “TT FA, its members, players, officials and match and players’ agents shall not play matches or make sporting contact with Associations that are not members of FIFA or with provisional members of a Confederation without the approval of FIFA.” However, TTS L’s president Keith Look Loy issued a media release yesterday morning, refuting claims that the TT FA cannot sanction the match.

“Regarding Article 78 above, TTS L is of the view that it is patently clear that the language of the statute — “… and/OR the Association…”— enables TT FA to sanction, if it so wishes, the event for which TTS L has requested permission to host,” said Look Loy.

“Regarding Article 79 above, TTS L does not understand why TT FA is resorting to this statute.

The event in question is being promoted by Caribbean Football Trust Limited (CFTL), which is a recognised entity in Caribbean football.” Look Loy pointed out that, on June 13, the TTS L requested permission to stage the game on September 16.

“After several requests by TTS L for an update, on 9 August, TT FA requested a list of the foreign players to participate in the proposed event, which list was provided by TTS L on 15 August,” he wrote.

“On 15 August, TTS L also advised TT FA of a change of date from 16 September to 15 October — which CFTL advised TTS L was necessitated by the delay in the grant of permission by TT FA and the consequent need for CFTL to renegotiate the availability of certain foreign players, all of which affected the marketing of the event.

“Since 15 August, TT FA has issued fixtures for the 2017 FA Cup, which include matches scheduled for 15 October, the very date requested by TTS L for its proposed international event.” Look Loy stated, “(The) TTS L is of the firm view that TT FA has immediate and constitutional authority to sanction the proposed event.

“Further, the continuing delay by TT FA in sanctioning the event, and the Association’s decision to schedule a conflicting event on that date, are a threat to an international event proposed by TTS L for the benefit of local players, clubs and football.”