The Board of Directors of Adam's Construction San Juan Jabloteh has distanced itself from statements made by club technical director Earl "Spiderman" Carter with regards to Defence Force and Police participation in this year's Digicel T&T Pro League. Both teams were forced to postpone their matches on Friday and Saturday last due to their continued work commitments with regards to the ongoing State of Emergency imposed by the T&T Government. And speaking in another daily newspaper, Carter, who was appointed technical director of Jabloteh two months ago after more than a decade living abroad, said both Defence Force, the defending champions, and Police should drop out of the league permanently if the league is to survive as a professional entity.
Carter said Defence Force and Police did not comprise professional footballers and should not be allowed to play in the Pro League. "They have no problem with respect to money and payment because they are playing for their salaries, but they are not professional footballers. "It is because of their inclusion in the league, it is causing problems today. They have to do their jobs first," ended Carter, a member of the 1989 Strike Squad, which missed qualification for FIFA World Cup in Italy in 1990 by a mere point. However, in a letter send to the media by Jabloteh's chief executive officer Azaad Mohammed-Khan, the club rejected totally the position enunciated by its technical director. "Carter was not speaking on behalf of the board and the club. We want to reiterate that Jabloteh fully supports these two clubs in the League, and appreciate the contributions made and that of which they will continue to make with their participation in the Pro League. "We apologise for any distress that these statements may have caused and wish the Defence Force and Police all the best in their endeavours and a speedy return to the Professional League," ended Mohammed-Khan.
T&T Pro League chief executive officer Dexter Skeene also said he spoke with Jabloteh chairman Jerry Hospedales, who gave the assurance the views expressed by Carter were not that of the club. Skeene, a former national player, said he was a little concerned initially with regards to Carter's comments, but his discussions with Hospedales allayed any concerns. He said, "I wish to reiterate that the contribution, commitment and dedication of Defence Force and Police to professional football and the Pro League in particular cannot be questioned and is un-paralleled in the case of Defence Force's record of success. He further added, "Carter's stay away from T&T may have created some gaps, as history would show that the success of Defence Force and Police as well as the other opportunities they have afforded young footballers, speak for itself. They have given both young men and women the opportunity to build a career on and off the field in the likes of Carlos Edwards, Dennis Lawrence, Devorn Jorsling and Lincoln Phillips," ended Skeene.