Searchlight Logo
special_image

    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
Fifa bans TTFA! ‘Former leadership’
Fifa president Gianni Infantino (Internet photo)
Sports
September 25, 2020

Fifa bans TTFA! ‘Former leadership’

The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) has been suspended by Fifa with immediate effect, for ‘grave violations of the Fifa Statutes’.

The decision, which was taken today by the Bureau of the Fifa Council, means that Trinidad and Tobago clubs and national teams are now forbidden from taking part in international competition or reaping any benefits of membership to the Swiss-based body. It is an unprecedented move in the 112-year history of the local game.

A missive by Fifa secretary general Fatma Samoura said the decision was made in accordance with article 16 of the Fifa Statutes. Samoura spelt out the cost to the Soca Warriors and warned the global body’s other 209 active member associations to steer clear of Trinidad and Tobago.

“Consequently, the TTFA loses all its membership rights, as defined in article 13 of the Fifa Statutes, with immediate effect,” stated Samoura. “TTFA representative and club teams are therefore no longer entitled to take part in international competitions until the suspension is lifted.

“This also means that, as of 24 September 2020, neither the TTFA nor any of its members or officials may benefit from any developmental programmes, course or training from Fifa or the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf).

“Moreover, we remind [Fifa member associations] and your affiliates not to enter into any sporting contact with the TTFA and/or its teams while the association is suspended.”

The Bureau of the Fifa Council is a seven member committee, headed by president Gianni Infantino, which includes a representation from each of the international body’s six confederations including Concacaf.

The Bureau, in a press statement, said the decision—made on Republic Day in the twin island republic—was ‘prompted by the former leadership of the TTFA lodging a claim before a local court in Trinidad and Tobago in order to contest the decision of the Fifa Council to appoint a normalisation committee for the TTFA’.

The TTFA’s legal action was taken by president William Wallace and vice-presidents Clynt Taylor, Susan Joseph-Warrick and Sam Phillip and supported by fellow United TTFA members Anthony Harford and Keith Look Loy.

Fifa gave the TTFA two deadlines to withdraw the case: on 16 September and then 23 September.

Yesterday, Wallace confirmed that he had withdrawn the case, after consultation with his colleagues and the TTFA’s member delegates. However, Fifa’s legal team said the withdrawal was not officially confirmed to them; and, up to this afternoon, there had been no correspondence from the High Court.

The Infantino-led committee accused the local administrators of failing to respect its timeline.

“In the circumstances, the Bureau of the Fifa Council has decided to suspend the TTFA,” stated the Fifa bulletin.

“This suspension will only be lifted when the TTFA fully complies with its obligations as a member of Fifa, including recognising the legitimacy of the appointed normalisation committee and bringing its own statutes into line with the Fifa Statutes.”

At present, the TTFA Constitution does not expressly allow its elected members to be removed by any mechanism but a vote from its own delegates. And, ironically, High Court Judge Carol Gobin ruled that even the spirit of the Fifa Statutes appeared to be at odds with its normalisation clause.

Fifa has made it clear that it does not recognise the authority of the Trinidad and Tobago courts.

Notably, Fifa’s decision not to impose a timeframe to its ban means the suspension can be lifted at any time, once the TTFA’s withdrawal is confirmed and the local body recognises the ‘legitimacy of the appointed normalisation committee’ and brings its statutes ‘into line with the Fifa Statutes’.

“The Bureau of the Fifa Council or the Fifa Council may lift this suspension at any time before the next Fifa Congress takes place,” stated Samoura, “and we will inform you accordingly.”

Decisions of the seven member Bureau of the Fifa Council must be ratified by its 37-member Council, while a suspension must be voted on by its 211 member associations. However, at the same time, all verdicts by the Bureau are effective immediately.

It means Trinidad and Tobago can be suspended and re-instated without the matter ever being debated by its general members.

Notably, Fifa’s first deadline was passed on the eve of a meeting of its Council and two days before its annual Congress. However, Infantino declined the chance to raise Trinidad and Tobago with either body and gave the TTFA a second deadline before sending the matter to the seven member committee that he heads instead.

Wallace, in his affidavit yesterday, made it clear that he was only withdrawing the TTFA’s case against Fifa under duress; and, under those circumstances, High Court Judge Carol Gobin still has to confirm the dissolution of the case.

Infantino decided to take the opportunity to flex his own muscles.

Notably, TTFA’s withdrawal from the High Court may no longer be enough, as Fifa also demanded that the TTFA statutes be brought ‘into line with the Fifa Statutes’ before re-admittance. The latter condition is potentially more problematic than the first.

On 24 March, Fifa mandated its normalisation committee of Robert Hadad, Judy Daniel and Nigel Romano to start the job of amending the TTFA’s Constitution. They are not believed to have even started the task.

Will the TTFA also pay the cost for the doziness of Fifa’s own appointees? Or is the idea to force the local body to accept whatever changes the governing body would like to make, in quick time? Wired868

  • FacebookComments
  • ALSO IN THE NEWS
    Barrouallie woman, charged in stabbing death of boyfriend
    Front Page
    Barrouallie woman, charged in stabbing death of boyfriend
    Webmaster 
    October 10, 2025
    A Barrouallie woman, allegedly killed her boyfriend who was stabbed in the neck with a knife, has been granted bail in the sum of $30,000. Brittany Au...
    Independence celebrations 2025 slated to be spectuclar
    Front Page
    Independence celebrations 2025 slated to be spectuclar
    Webmaster 
    October 10, 2025
    Chairman of the National Independence Committee, Rodney Small, is urging people across St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), to attend the various acti...
    Second event sees mentally challenged inmates involved in football
    Front Page
    Second event sees mentally challenged inmates involved in football
    Webmaster 
    October 10, 2025
    A second event, geared at helping inmates at His Majesty’s Prison (HMP) with varying mental health issues better cope with some of their problems, was...
    Teenager aims to become Prime Minister
    Front Page
    Teenager aims to become Prime Minister
    Webmaster 
    October 10, 2025
    by Grace Francis At just 19 years old, Arron Dennie has set his sights high, aspiring not only to become a lawyer but ultimately, to serve as Prime Mi...
    New Police Officers pledge to serve with courage, discipline and integrity
    Front Page
    New Police Officers pledge to serve with courage, discipline and integrity
    Webmaster 
    October 10, 2025
    A total of 113 police recruits gathered at the Arnos Vale Playing field last Friday, October, 3,2025, for the Passing Out Parade. The 42nd cohort of r...
    Ministry of Agriculture launches World Food Day Programme
    Front Page
    Ministry of Agriculture launches World Food Day Programme
    Webmaster 
    October 10, 2025
    The Ministry of Agriculture on Thursday, October, 9, 2025, launched a programme of activities leading up to World Food Day that is observed globally o...
    News
    Smart tells Cabinet he does not want work with the MOA
    News
    Smart tells Cabinet he does not want work with the MOA
    Webmaster 
    October 10, 2025
    Gabriel ‘Webb’ Smart informed the Cabinet on Wednesday, October, 1 2025, that he does not want a full time job with the Ministry of Agriculture. He re...
    Criminals not welcomed, will be tracked – PM Mottley
    News
    Criminals not welcomed, will be tracked – PM Mottley
    Webmaster 
    October 10, 2025
    Criminals attempting to move between the four Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries that from this month began allowing the unrestricted movement of...
    DTVE records highest enrolment
    News
    DTVE records highest enrolment
    Webmaster 
    October 10, 2025
    For the first time, the Division of Technical and Vocational Education (DTVE) of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Community College (SVGC), has recor...
    Man who smashed his sister’s washing machine to pay compensation
    From the Courts, News
    Man who smashed his sister’s washing machine to pay compensation
    Webmaster 
    October 10, 2025
    A Largo Height man was ordered to compensate his sister $2,500 after he smashed her washing machine because the noise bothered him. Kenton Harris appe...
    Young farmers receive training in Smart Agricultural Practices
    News
    Young farmers receive training in Smart Agricultural Practices
    Webmaster 
    October 10, 2025
    Seventy-five young Vincentian farmers are receiving training courses in smart agricultural techniques through the Embassy of the Republic of China on ...

    E-EDITION
    ePaper
    google_play
    app_store
    Subscribe Now
    • Interactive Media Ltd. • P.O. Box 152 • Kingstown • St. Vincent and the Grenadines • Phone: 784-456-1558 © Copyright Interactive Media Ltd.. All rights reserved.
    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok