FORMER TRINIDAD and Tobago national football team captain David Nakhid yesterday denied any approach from the Bahrain Football Association (BFA) to spy on his homeland for next month's crucial 2006 World Cup qualifiers between the two countries, according to a report carried in the Trinidad Express.
However, Nakhid, an employee of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (T&TFF) for much of their World Cup campaign, admitted that he already accepted an offer to coach Bahrain's national under-20 squad and oversee their youth programme.
Nakhid claimed to have insisted on one condition. He would have nothing to do with the Bahrain senior team until the completion of their qualifying schedule.
QUALIFYING FIXTURES
Trinidad and Tobago tackle Bahrain in home and away qualifying fixtures on November 12 and 16. The winner alone would advance to the Germany showcase tournament.
The 41-year-old Nakhid, who was fired by the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (T&TFF) via email on October 15, made no secret of his bias for next month's vital play-off match.
"I want Trinidad and Tobago to qualify," said Nakhid, who represented T&T as a player in three qualifying campaigns. "I have had no discussion with any member of the Bahrain national team. Everything that has been written is just speculation by the Bahraini press."
Nakhid claimed that he received a courtesy call by a Bahraini scout, on October 15, congratulating him on his role with the national squad. He insisted that there was nothing unusual about the gesture since he was well known in the Middle East because of his playing career in Lebanon.
He told the official that he was no longer employed by the T&TFF and, two hours later, he allegedly received an e-mail from the Bahrain Minister of Sport, which offered him the role of national youth coach. Nakhid said that the Bahraini minister was a fellow American University past pupil who had kept abreast of his career.
He insisted that he was never asked to provide a dossier on the Trinidad and Tobago team.
REPORTS
Nakhid also dismissed reports in the Trinidad and Tobago media that the Bahraini players were promised US$1 million and a Mercedes Benz each if they booked a place at the 2006 World Cup and claimed the story was met with anger in the Asian country. Like Trinidad and Tobago, Bahrain have never qualified for a FIFA senior tournament.
"There is a misconception that countries like Bahrain have money throwing around," said Nakhid. "That is real stupidness. The fact is the (Bahrain) players don't make more than a thousand Dinars a game (US$2,652.00). So the Trinidad players actually make more."
In contrast, Jack Warner, T&TFF special advisor, promised that each T&T player will receive between US$10,000 and $12,000 in match fees for next month's clash against Bahrain.
Nakhid spoke to the Trinidad Express from Bahrain where he has already begun putting things in place for his new role, which officially commences at the end of their qualifying campaign.
- Trinidad Express
