Antigua: Former footballer left in limbo after career-ending injury

Representing your country on the international stage is the dream for all athletes.

But, former Antigua and Barbuda national striker Tevaughn Harriette is warning footballers from the twin island nation that donning national colours could lead to them suffering a lifetime of pain if they pick up an injury while on official duties with little to no help from the football federation.

Harriette suffered a knee injury during a training session while on national duties in March 2018 and since then he’s been on a fight with the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association (ABFA) for assistance to complete a surgery that will allow him to have some semblance of a normal life.

In an interview with Loop News, Harriette recounted his ordeal. Initially, ABFA was supportive, helping him undergo a meniscus and LCL repair in Antigua, followed by a meniscus removal in Trinidad when doctors determined it was too damaged to save. However, he was later informed that returning to football—or even walking normally—would require a meniscus replacement.

When Harriette approached ABFA with this diagnosis, he was told to find a doctor and they would cover the cost.

He located a medical team in Spain willing to perform the operation. However, when he presented ABFA with the estimate of over EC$182,000 in 2021, communication reportedly deteriorated.

Fast forward to 2024, and Harriette claims he’s receiving nothing but talk and excuses from ABFA.

“This year, I’ve had three meetings with them,” he said. “In my last meeting in April, they indicated they would offer assistance within a week. To date, I’ve had no positive word from anybody in the Football Association.”

Harriette claims ABFA has cited various reasons for the delay, including financial constraints due to the COVID-19 pandemic and an inability to seek FIFA assistance. Harriette notes that this situation contradicts international sporting policies, which require associations to have insurance for players to cover medical expenses incurred during national duty.

Despite holding several fundraisers, Harriette has only raised a small portion of the required amount.

His attempts to involve FIFA directly and seek help from Sports Minister Daryll Matthew have been unsuccessful. Harriette believes his affiliation with the opposition United Progressive Party (UPP) may be hindering governmental support.

Harriette claimed during his conversations with ABFA he was told if he got the money for the surgery, the association has a policy that it would reimburse for the expense.

But that’s where the problem lies as he does not have the money needed to complete the surgery.

The last six years have been filled with pain and mental anguish for the standout footballer leaving him with many regrets.

“Seeing football played every week and not being part of it, it hurts really bad. I was someone who, when I went out, I gave 100 per cent on the field all the time. And I always wanted to win. I always wanted to fight for my team and country. So to be in this position now, it’s really damaging my spirit to how I look at things overall,” Harriette said.

“I was a part of the national teams from each age group division. I made my senior debut at 16 years of age. And from since then, I’ve been a regular on the team. So, I’m a regular contributor. I think that seeing the position I’m in now after doing so much, it’s like a spit in my face.”

Harriette said the treatment he is receiving sends a bad message to current and former players.

He has advised any player to think twice about representing the country’s national football team if they don’t have private medical insurance.

Loop News reached out to acting ABFA President Gwendolyn Salmon for a comment, but she did not answer out calls.

ABFA General Secretary Rohan Hector responded to Loop News but said he needed to get permission from Salmon before he can comment. Subsequent attempts to reach him were unsuccessful.

To assist Harriette, direct donations can be made to his Antigua Commercial Bank (ACB) account, number 108989991.