Now that the Fifa fiasco has enveloped the globe, we as a country must immediately try to draw lessons from what has been alleged to have occurred; with some elements of the charges being directed to the former special advisor to our T&T Football Federation (now Football Association) (TTFA).
It is important to remember that during Mr Warner's tenure as president of Concacaf and vice president Fifa, many of his preferential practices in conducting our country's football business still remains entrenched as our modus operandi with our local football association.
With this being said, many would recall the recent situation with regards to a sum of some $250,000 being unaccounted for, with the Minister of Tourism, Gerald Hadeed, making strong public statements about getting to the bottom of that matter. Further, the current president of the TTFA, Raymond Tim Kee, informing the public that he has referred the matter to the police for investigation.
The forgetful society that we are, is also quite forgiving, and there has been nothing else said about this situation that involved Darren Millien, marketing manager of the TTFA.
As the old adage goes, 'when your neighbour's house is on fire, you must wet your own!' In the short time that Mr Tim Kee has been at the helm we have seen the resignation of the technical director, Anton Corneal, due to him not having received his salary for well over 18 months. Then, we witnessed the T-shirt situation for the charity game for Akeem Adams, where there was a huge discrepancy with regards to monies collected from T-Shirt sales. There are now rumours that the current national senior coach has not been paid for well over four months, but in the same vein we have witnessed the appointment of a new technical director in Mr Kendall Walkes; a former national player. However, in this case Mr Tim Kee has articulated that Mr Walkes should be 'cautiously optimistic" about receiving a salary at the end of every month. What does that mean? Is this statement to mean that Mr Walkes should always expect the unexpected, and that may mean no salary at the end of some months?
It seems clear to me that it is still business as before at the TTFA; with decisions being made with little thought or order and at the whim and fancy of whoever is at the head. Mr Warner has certainly left his footprints in the sand. It was somewhat strange to read the newspaper today in which Mr Tim Kee was so keen on volunteering the information that the TTFF under Mr Warner's watch paid for a UNC dinner.
Most of you will easily see the political undertone of that statement, coming from the sitting treasurer of the PNM and current mayor of Port-of-Spain. Are we to believe that Mr Tim kee has decided to interface the politics with the football? If so, that can be a dangerous concoction. At least when Jack was special advisor to the TTFF, he was not yet in active politics. It is disconcerting to consider where this situation may lead if the PNM wins the next general election. Let us try and keep sports out of politics and that can only be achieved by keeping politicians out of sports.
Henry Cyrus
San Juan