PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Caribbean football strongman Jack Warner says he will urge FIFA to add the Digicel Caribbean Cup to its international calendar.
Warner, who is president of CONCACAF, said there were problems with teams not being able to access their foreign-based players and this move would force clubs to release their players for national duty.
As it stands currently, the DCC does not fall within the FIFA calendar and clubs are not obligated to release players.
“I intend to approach FIFA with a proposal to include the 2011 dates of what has now become the premiere football tournament in the region,” said Warner.
“I have also heard the numerous complaints of our members over the difficulties they encounter in gaining access to their foreign based players during this competition. If we succeed in our quest to include the tournament in the FIFA calendar, then this challenge would be significantly reduced.
“This competition must be used as a device to propel our talent onto the world stage and by allowing our local federations greater access to their international talent we will ensure that the standard of the competition is lifted.
“We cannot and must not waste this glorious opportunity afforded to us, but we also must alter the rules of engagement to ensure our players are given the best possible opportunities.” The current situation meant that Trinidad and Tobago were without their top professionals from the foreign leagues, and with only domestic-based players to choose from they slumped out in the group stages of the Finals in Martinique.
Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz, who won the tournament when they beat Guadeloupe in the final, were however boosted by the presence of their foreign players who had completed their campaigns in the American MLS league.
A powerful FIFA vice-president, Warner said the Digicel Cup had grown tremendously and stressed the time had come to have the best players involved in what was the Caribbean’s premier football tournament.
“The football has been truly exciting. The players have become more tactical and technical and have given to us a level of hope that we can raise our game to that of world competitors,” Warner pointed out.
“The 2010 edition of this competition has truly marked the dawn of a new era in Caribbean football. Our players are developing and we as administrators must continue to pursue strategies which will foster further growth, we must all strive for excellence.” He said his vision was to ensure the DCC became a world class competition.
“Progress lies not in enhancing what is but in advancing to what it could be and we in the Caribbean will be transforming this competition into one comparable to all other international competitions,” he said.
