Amidst all the controversy, scandals and reports of financial mismanagement engulfing the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) over the last two years, Raymond Tim Kee, the Federation’s president, is hoping for a clean slate once the dust settles.
On Sunday the Express published the first of a series of articles outlining many transactions involving T&T World Cup Germany 2006 sponsorship funds by and on behalf of Jack Warner in his former capacity as special adviser of the TTFF.
Yesterday’s subsequent Express article detailed the “money trail” from TTFF accounts through Germany LOC (Local Organising Committee) 2006 accounts, and stated that at least $100 million of $205 million is yet to be accounted for.
Tim Kee conceded that it has not been an easy time for the Federation in the wake of the many controversies, but said the shock of it all—beginning with the cash-for-votes scandal in May 2011 that led to the resignation of Warner from all football-related activities and Oliver Camps as TTFF president—seems to have worn off somewhat.
“I think [TTFF officials] were affected in the early stage of all the exposes that we have seen now. From my own observations, I think everybody understands to a great degree what has happened,” Tim Kee told the Express yesterday.
The TTFF head said that he has been in office less than six months, and is still not fully apprised of “what has went on” before he came into office in November, and added that he still needs to do “a lot of research” to “have a better appreciation” of the issues.
Tim Kee is expected to leave Trinidad and Tobago tomorrow for Friday’s Extraordinary Congress of CONCACAF, which follows extensive audits completed by external auditors.
But the TTFF head was not sure whether issues related to what has been revealed in the audits will be discussed at the Congress. He is due, however, to meet with CONCACAF president Jeffrey Webb.
“Congresses such as that generally deal with adjustments and rules and certain types of activities. They would have got together and decided to change or adjust things,” he said.
“…I understand that there is a lot to come out about our situation vis-a-vis the finances and situation of the TTFF. I don’t know if [Webb is] going to use that forum to address it. I have two meetings to see him; I don’t know if that is what he wants (to discuss).”
As for the Federation, Tim Kee wants to put the organisation back on track, but acknowledged that matters pertaining to its finances and image need to be addressed before they can move on.
He said that “all sorts of things” are on his desk, including preparations for T&T’s upcoming CONCACAF Gold Cup in the US in July, and said he intends to put things in place to ensure better accountability.
“It’s a matter of wrapping (all these things) up, starting with a clean slate, and (to) start putting some initiatives in place,” he said.