PORT OF SPAIN – The Kamla Persad-Bissessar administration has followed through on its promise to settle the outstanding TT$7.5 million (US$1.18 million) owed to 13 members of the 2006 World Cup squad.
On Friday, Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar handed over cheques to the players at the Parliament building in the city here, delivering on a commitment made to the aggrieved players on the eve of the FIFA World Cup semi-finals in July.
“As you are aware, in July of this year, the Government gave its commitment to pay the sum of TT $7.5 million to the national football team,” Persad-Bissessar said.
“While the Government is under no legal obligation in this regard, we recognise that this payment is necessary to assist the players and to address the legitimate grievance and stress of our national football heroes.”
However, Persad-Bissessar said the payment to players would not prevent them from continuing their legal action against the federation.
She said monies recovered from any court judgement would go towards reimbursing government.
“This payment is without prejudice to any legal rights and remedies which the players might have against the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation for the recovery of the balance of their judgement debt,” the Prime Minister said.
“The players have now agreed to continue their legal action against the TTFF and to reimburse the Government should they recover any further monies pursuant to this judgement, and an agreement gives effect to this arrangement.”
The members of the squad argued they were never paid all the money owed them coming out of the historic 2006 campaign in Germany, and sued the national federation. They gained a judgement in their favour for US$3 million but were only paid US$1.7 million of the amount. (CMC)
