Sunday, February 10 2008

THE FOOTBALL Players Association of Trinidad and Tobago has expressed dissatisfaction over the manner in which their members were treated after the international friendly encounter with Guadeloupe at the Queen’s Park Oval on Ash Wednesday.

It comes on the heels of reports in which it is alleged that the star players refused to sign match-fee contracts. As a result they received no match fees.

But in a release sent out by FPATT yesterday, it was stated that the players did not sign the contracts offered by the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) because they were given less than 72 hours before the kick-off of the game.

And therefore it was not discussed, negotiated and approved by its association and or its attorneys.

The football players’ association also expressed its grouse over alleged poor flight arrangements for the players to return to their respective clubs.

Some players, it is said, were placed on stand-by economy flights which resulted in last ditch efforts by the players to reach to their UK clubs on time.

The FPATT said it hopes that the alleged inadequacies are not seen by the football federation as “business as usual.”

It also stated that it is here to mediate with the football federation and clubs on behalf of the players on various issues.

Among them match fees, wages, bonuses for the coming World Cup qualifiers, insurance coverage and ticket allocations, among others.

It was also revealed that the association is not involved in the ongoing issues concerning bonuses from the 2006 World Cup participation by the Soca Warriors.

FPATT added that the players have been afforded all the benefits expected under the regulations of the world governing body for football, FIFA.

According to the release the FPATT has been attempting to have a meaningful discussion with the TTFF and or its advisor Jack Warner on such important topics.

According to the release FPATT is committed to the implementation of policies and procedures suitable for a professional work environment as it relates to the governance of football in Trinidad and Tobago.

It also stated that its members played in last Wednesday’s match because they just wanted to represent their country.