No CFU breakaway

Caribbean Football Union (CFU) First Vice-President Lyndon Cooper says the body is harbouring no thoughts of breaking away and forming its own confederation.

Currently, the CFU operates as a sub group under the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF), but there have recently been talks that it may seek to become the seventh global football confederation, especially in order to gain its own automatic FIFA World Cup spot.

DENIED CLAIMS

However, while speaking on behalf of CFU president Gordon Derrick at the opening of the Caribbean office of CONCACAF in St Andrew on Wednesday night, Cooper absolutely denied these claims, saying that he was not even aware that this was being discussed.

"I'm hearing that for the first time, so I can't make a comment at this time," Cooper said.

"I don't think this is an idea that we should attempt at this time because we are trying to unfold the One CONCACAF programme and any such idea is ill-conceived at this time."

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

CONCACAF currently has 41 member states and this 'One CONCACAF' initiative was conceived by its president Victor Montagliani, with the aim of setting up a financial assistance programme to aid the development of football in these states. It will see a payout of US$125,000 to each state on a yearly basis.

Cooper describes the move of opening a CONCACAF office in the region to Star Sports as "brilliant, creative and well placed."

"As I've indicated on behalf of President Derrick, there's no initiative like this, and we support both CONCACAF and CONCACAF programmes."