The T&T Football Association (TTFA) laments the decision of the Ministry of Health (MOH) to not allow the TTFA to host this country’s opening Qatar 2022 World Cup Qualifier versus Guyana in T&T, in a hot-bubble environment on March 25.
The TTFA has therefore taken a decision to stage the match at the Pan American Stadium, San Cristobal, Dominican Republic. The date of the match remains March 25.
Sports and Community Development Minister Shamfa Cudjoe made the announcement on Saturday during the Ministry of Health (MOH) coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic virtual press conference update in which she pointed out why the TTFA proposal submitted to the government was not accepted pointing to various concerns which relate to the COVID-19 pandemic protocols for T&T.
She told the media that: "The TTFA is saying that the players cannot quarantine and that she said is troubling for us here in T&T. 'The Players must quarantine' she stressed, especially the players coming from the United Kingdom, Denmark, Belgium, coming from countries with the new (COVID-19) strain that we are really concern about."
The Minister said: "The TTFA proposal was for the players to come-in travel from the airport to the Home of Football, play their game, stay for two days and then go back out. That does not provide anytime really for them to quarantine. The proposal has also asked for them to room two-people to a room."
In response, a press release on Saturday from the TTFA stated: "Over the last few months, we have been in discussions with the Ministry of Health (MOH), Sports Company of T&T, and other relevant Government agencies. Based on these discussions, numerous proposals and scenarios were put forward to host the match in T&T, but unfortunately, none were ultimately successful, which would satisfy our FIFA mandates for international competitions."
The release continued: "The MOH’s protocol and guidelines mandate fourteen (14) days quarantine for anyone entering the country. This condition is not feasible given the FIFA international match window and the MOH has declined the TTFA’s request of an exemption to facilitate a hot-bubble which would allow members of both teams including staff, to arrive within a suitable time period conducive to international football."
When contacted Robert Hadad, the chairman of the FIFA-appointed Normalisation Committee (NC), told Guardian Media Sports: "We have worked tirelessly with FIFA, CONCACAF and the Government of T&T to find solutions but regrettably a compromise could not be found. The TTFA was reinstated as a FIFA member in December and then FIFA readjusted its World Cup timetable to March and June and since then we have been working with the authorities."
He explained that: "On December 4, 2020 - Concacaf confirmed the dates and schedule for World Cup qualifiers for March 2021. A few days before Christmas - TTFA met with the Sports Company of T&T (SporTT) to discuss many matters including the WCQ.
"In January there were multiple meetings between TTFA and South West Regional Health Authority (SWRHA), MOH, SporTT, Ministry of National Security, and other government agencies to determine the best plan given the constant shifting of policies and opinions consistent with the new strains of COVID-19. In February, based on these discussions, the proposed plan was sent to the MOH and discussions continued with all the aforementioned bodies to negotiate options."
Without starting what was proposed to the government to host the match, the TTFA release continued: "The TTFA is incredibly disappointed and shares the public’s frustration at not being able to play our designated home match on local soil. However, we do understand the responsibilities of the MOH and appreciate the efforts that they are making to preserve the safety of the citizens of our country.
"While the decision is a bitter pill to swallow, we believe that sport and the positive mental health aspects of sports must not be undervalued and applaud the Government of T&T for allowing outdoor recreational sports to resume.
"The TTFA is committed to giving the men’s senior national team the best preparation possible during these challenging times. We have been working and continue to work on solutions to provide head coach Terry Fenwick, the opportunity to engage in international friendly matches and training camps ahead of the qualifiers. With the confirmation that the venue has been set for San Cristobal, we anticipate that further plans will be rolled out over the coming days."
When contacted on the new developments, coach Fenwick: "For me, it's disappointing that we cannot host this World Cup qualifier."
Asked to how this will affect the composition of the team and if players will join the training squad taking the 14 days quarantine factor, or will the players join the team at the match venue he responded: "We are applying to the foreign-based players' clubs, it is the clubs who have the presiding decision."
Fenwick, the former England World Cup player who resumed training with a 23-man squad since the national team's 7-0 loss to the USA in a friendly international match on January 31 in the USA said: "CPL bubble, school-kids opening up, racecourse with a crowd and we have given up home advantage in a World Cup Qualifier."