Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president Raymond Tim Kee said a communication mix-up led to the statements from American coach of the Trinidad and Tobago women’s football team Randy Waldrum pleading for assistance Wednesday.
Tim Kee said Waldrum apologised in a written letter yesterday but Tim Kee said the damage was already done in terms of the public outrage and embarrassment to the nation.
But Tim Kee said the social media outburst of the coach was a symptom of some of the malaise at the organisational structure of the TTFA.
At a press conference at the Hasely Crawford Stadium yesterday, Tim Kee outlined a previous situation where the technical staff, including coach Waldrum, had endorsed the Petrotrin facilities for a training camp for the senior women only for Waldrum to use social media to express his disapproval a few days later.
Tim Kee said Waldrum had issued a letter of apology to Petrotrin and the TTFA then too
“So when I saw that communique from the coach, I said ‘oh my God! I hope it is not same thing that happened before and this letter he (Waldrum) wrote this morning (yesterday) confirms that,” said Tim Kee
“I am not here to pass blame, but I thought the national community and all who was listening should have an appreciation of the facts.
Tim Kee apologised for the shame and pain caused.
“No amount of excuses or reasons or explanations could erase what happened yesterday (Wednesday) because of what you call an emotional disturbance,”
But Tim Kee said the players had an excellent training session Wednesday afternoon, there is no complaint of discomfort and they are eagerly and excitedly awaiting the start of the competition on October 15.
Tim Kee advised that the US $500 was indeed given to the players for ground transport and meals with the knowledge that more money was on the way.
The Ministry of Sport yesterday stepped in to issue $250,000 to supplement the team’s preparations.
“He (Waldrum) should have been communicated with, that is something there is no pardon or forgiveness for from the administration, it is unpardonable, so when the coach saw the players and in conversation learnt they only had 300 and made statements, I can’t blame him,” Tim Kee said. “I am not blaming the coach, perhaps before he went there (social media), he should have called here (TTFA).”
Tim Kee said the breakdown in communication was a symptom of a bigger problem of governance and structure.
“The governance and structure of the organisation is faulty,” Tim Kee said, adding that is why he mandated a reform commission headed by Raoul John of KPMG.
He said some of the major reforms to come out of the process would be one club one vote and the inclusion of three independent professionals on the executive.