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By Lasana Liburd
PORT OF SPAIN, Sept 11 (Reuters) - Trinidad soccer chief Jack Warner has accused Sunderland manager Roy Keane of "callous disregard for the rights of small countries" after striker Dwight Yorke missed Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against the U.S.
Warner, FIFA vice-president and a special adviser to the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (T&TFF), released a letter to the Premier League club warning that Keane and Sunderland were choosing "a dangerous path to tread".
"Your continuing insensitivity and disrespect for countries such as Trinidad and Tobago are hereby noted," wrote Warner.
Sunderland, who Yorke said ordered his return to England after last Saturday's 1-1 draw against Guatemala, responded by criticising the T&TFF.
"We are very disappointed that the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation felt it necessary to distribute a copy of private correspondence to the media," said a club statement. "This issue is a matter for private discussion between SAFC, Dwight Yorke and the T&TFF."
Sunderland and the T&TFF were also at loggerheads in March when Keane said striker Kenwyne Jones and winger Carlos Edwards were unavailable for a friendly in Jamaica due to illness and injury.
Yorke had retired from international football when Sunderland offered him a new one-year contract this year but later announced his intention to help the "Soca Warriors" in their World Cup qualifying campaign.
