By JADA LOUTOO Monday, July 16 2012

JUSTICE Vasheist Kokaram will hear the contempt charge made by 13 aggrieved former national players of the 2006 World Cup football team against the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF).

The decision for Justice Kokaram to hear the contempt application was made by the rostering committee for judges after the TTFF asked Justice Devindra Rampersad to step down from hearing the contempt charge.

Justice Rampersad will retain the substantive bonus case.

When the matter was called earlier this month, an agreement was arrived at between attorneys for the players and the TTFF for another judge to hear the contempt of court application. Justice Rampersad who agreed, later informed both parties that he was not certain if the contempt application could be separated from the bonus lawsuit which he is presiding on.

Attorneys representing the former players, who are seeking their share of the $88 million the local football body received as World Cup commercial revenue for the tournament which took place in Germany, had asked Justice Rampersad to step down from the case for allegedly showing bias against the TTFF.

The local football body was represented by Nicholas Stewart, QC, while the players were represented by George Hislop, Dave De Peiza and Phillip Lamont.