A "fresh row has broken out in the Caribbean over what is being interpreted by national associations as back-door interference" in the region’s affairs by CONCACAF, according to Paul Nicholson of INSIDE WORLD FOOTBALL. The moves "further undermine" the management of the Caribbean Football Union and its exec at a time when it has already "seen its power base at the region’s top political table eroded" and its membership split and marginalized. The "controversy broke out" following an invitation by Trinidad and Tobago FA President David John Williams to presidents of CFU member federations to attend a two-day meeting June 17-18 in Port of Spain, Trinidad. The letter stated that "all economy travel and hotel costs were being paid by CONCACAF with support from UEFA." The meeting was being organized outside the governance of the CFU and "without its knowledge or involvement." The funding was reportedly "granted without the approval of the CONCACAF council." The CFU and many of the Caribbean presidents "have responded furiously at the move to circumvent the CFU structure" in its own region, with some members saying that the professional league conversation "is just a smokescreen for Williams to announce his candidacy for the CFU presidency, backed by the CONCACAF executive." The CFU election is less than two months away (INSIDE WORLD FOOTBALL, 6/10).
