ttgapers.com

TTFF is looking at the prospect of going after English-born players, striker Bobby Zamora of Fulham and Bolton Wanderers left back, Jlloyd Samuel, both of Trinidad and Tobago parentage once again. This after a decision was made by FIFA at its 59th Congress in Nassau, Bahamas, on Wednesday to remove the age limit on players changing national teams.

Under established rules players with dual nationality, who had already played for a country’s national team at youth level, were only allowed to switch loyalties at the age of 21 during a one-year window.

But the motion removing the age limit was approved by 58 per cent of the congress, while the other 42 per cent voted against it. However, the rule change does not affect any player who has played for the full national team as they are barred from switching nations. When contacted on the matter, TTFF special advisor and CONCACAF boss, Jack Warner, intransit from Bahamas to Cayman Islands with FIFA president Sepp Blatter, said the local federation had written to FIFA asking for Zamora and Samuel to join the Trinidad and Tobago team. “FIFA’s legal consultants are currently addressing the situation to give the TTFF a response with the regards to the two players as soon as possible.”

During the 2006 FIFA World Cup campaign, both Samuel and Zamora then with Premiership clubs, Aston Villa and West Ham United respectively were targeted by former Trinidad and Tobago coach, Dutchman Leo Beenhakker as possible additions to the Soca Warriors World Cup squad. But in the end, the request for the players were denied by FIFA after they informed the TTFF that Zamora, whose father was born in Carenage, did not qualify to play for Trinidad and Tobago, having represented England at Under-18 and Under-21 level while Samuel was also turned down for similar reasons.

It was further explained that Samuel like Zamora did not utilised the one-year window given by FIFA when a reversal of their status could have been possible. Since then both players have not represented England at senior level and may finally get a chance to play for the Soca Warriors during the 2010 Concacaf World Cup qualifiers.