...it’s all politics says general secretary
Sheldon Phillips, former general secretary of the T&T Football Association (TTFA), said yesterday that politics led to him being fired by the association.
A release issued by the TTFA yesterday stated the TTFA president Raymond Tim Kee fired Phillips because he failed to adhere to directives regarding the operational activities of the Association.
It also said the decision was taken by Tim Kee following the issuing of a letter to Phillips requesting his resignation on Monday evening.
Phillips refused the request following which his services were terminated by Tim Kee.
His sacking came a mere day after a newspaper report stated that Tim Kee had received support from the executives of the embattled football association.
Phillips’ dismissal has unearthed what appears to be a division within the walls of the TTFA.
Tim Kee has confirmed that he will be seeking a re-election when the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and election of officers are held on November 29.
TTFA officials will be able to tell who filed their nomination documents to contest the elections today as the deadline was midnight last night.
It is understood that W Connection main man John Williams and former international referee Ramesh Ramdhan are among those seeking the top post.
Yesterday, Phillips, the son of former national goalkeeper and the federation’s technical director Lincoln Phillips, did not want to comment on whether there was a rift within the football association but said it was totally unfortunate that he was fired.
He said he was grateful for the opportunity to serve T&T and could only hope that he has played a role in the obvious progress in local football from 2012 to now.
Phillips, who admitted to being the one instrumental in the hiring of Soca Warriors coach Stephen Hart and women’s coach Randy Waldrum also explained that his sacking may have come because it was an election year.
Asked if his dismissal could lead to a set back in the progress of TT football only weeks before the start of World Cup qualification, Phillips said “ I don’t think my situation will affect what’s going on at the TTFA. I think everyone has a job to do and that is important.”
His exit also means that the football association will now be in a search of a replacement.
Yesterday’s release also confirmed that the TTFA has commenced a search for a new general secretary and remains committed to exploring and evaluating possibilities and opportunities that will put the TTFA on a trajectory for growth and continued development.
A team of members is expected to be selected soon to look for sponsorship for local football, and there may likely to be resignations to follow Phillips’ firing.
Lennox Watson, one of the association’s vice presidents, expressed surprise at Phillips’ dismissal, saying that he did not think that Tim Kee had the authority or power to fire the general secretary.
Other vice presidents of the TTFA are Rudolph Thomas, and Krishna Kuarsingh.