Sheldon Phillips, the general secretary of the T&T Football Association has confirmed being in receipt of a written response from former Minister of Sports Brent Sancho and his advisor Kevin Harrison over allegations levied at them over contract dealings and improper requests made while being part of Central FC managerial staff.
On September 10, the T&TFA in separate letters to both Sancho and Harrison, said as a member of Concacaf and in keeping with its regulatory obligations and responsibilities it was requesting written statements from both individuals or their appointed representative to addressing a number of allegations for the purpose of providing a forum to clarify and inform the local football federation in determining whether further action is warranted.
Contacted on Thursday, the eve of the deadline given, Harrison said, both himself and Brent Sancho would not be making any response on their own as the matter was in the hands of their lawyer, attorney-at-law Robert Vincent Charles.”
Harrison added: “I would imagine that with tomorrow (today) being the deadline he will provide the T&TFA with our response, because there have been a lot written so far and a lot of times when someone makes a response via the media they are misquoted, so we are taking the safe and right method in going through our lawyers.” However, this is complete u-turn from what Harrison told the Guardian ten day ago. When contacted yesterday for comment, Phillips said, "I can confirm that just after noon on Friday, we did received a written response from lawyers representing both Brent Sancho and Kevin Harrison. Asked if the T&TFA has reviewed the letter as yet, Phillips, the son of former national goalkeeper, Lincoln "Tiger" Phillip said, "We have the correspondent along with the statements and our legal representatives will now go through it before we present it to our Executive Committee, which is headed by our president, Raymond Tim Kee.
As for the next move, Phillip said that will totally be up to the Executive Committee on how they move forward after that.
Among the requests made were the clarification on allegations of a request for personal payments made in conjunction with the transfer of T&T international Rundell Winchester to Belgium lower league club, CS Visé be clarified, specifically the email transmission dated August 27, 2014 which was sent to Steve Davies that made a request for personal payment and that he (Harrison) please describe the purpose for the “personal payment” as stated in the aforementioned email.
Another topic the Raymond Tim Kee led T&TFA requested information on was the allegations of non-payment of player bonuses at Central FC, which won a record seven titles locally last year, including its first ever Pro League title. The T&TFF issued letter noted that complaints have been fielded by the TTFA from Central FC players surrounding alleged withholding of promised bonus earnings connected to the 2014/15 Pro League season and Concacaf Champions League Tournament. In addition, Harrison and Sancho were asked to explain why Concacaf funds meant for T&T Pro League club Central FC was deposited into a personal account after Concacaf in an official statement rebuffed claims of administrative error on its part regarding a deposit of $40,000 in an account by Brent Sancho that was allegedly directed by Kevin Harrison.
The T&TFF went to the add: “Would you please explain whether you were aware the Concacaf funds were deposited to your personal account and the reason(s) for directing the funds to your personal account?”
And finally, with regards to the acquisition of teenager Levi Garcia, the T&TFA noted that Central FC acquired his rights through the execution of a player agreement at a time when Garcia was below the age of consent and this must also be explained. A former standout at Shiva Boys Hindu College, Garcia was signed by Dutch club AZ Alkmaar last earlier this year, but questions are being raised with regards to the signing of the deal and whether the T&T youth player was properly represented.
In closing the T&TFA said it expected a response to their requests by no later than Friday September 18, 2015.