Tuesday, August 12 2008

AN AGREEMENT between the Trinidad and Tobago Government and the country’s football federation has cleared the way for the Soca Warriors to play their 2010 World Cup qualifiers on home soil.

Government and the TTFF had been in conflict over the imposition of a rental fee of US $25,000 or ten percent of gate receipts for the use of any of TT’s major football stadiums for international matches. But it was announced on Saturday the Government and the TTFF appears to have reached “a mutually beneficial agreement” over the rental fees, which is subject to ratification.

In relation to the staging of international events, a grading system has been adopted and rental charges of a flat fee or ten percent of gate receipts be used as the sum for rental fees.

For 2010 World Cup qualifiers however, Government has decided to waive the flat fee and accept eight percent of the gross gate receipts which we expect will be paid within five working days of the match.

The decision was reached as it is believed that national footballers and indeed their competitors should be afforded the best possible facilities to play and practice. “It is also imperative to note that TT football belongs to the citizens of TT and that the relevant authorities are simply entrusted to administer the sport to the overall benefit of the citizenry.”

It was noted that the arrangement holds only for the World Cup qualifiers, and any other matches which the Ministry deems “commercial activity” will fall under an established standard.

TT are set to face Guatemala on September 6 at home as they continue through the semi-final round of CONCACAF qualification for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.