Ex-England defender Terry Fenwick is accused of ‘headbutting a press officer’

Former England international Terry Fenwick allegedly headbutted a press officer on Wednesday morning after the Trinidad and Tobago manager was involved in a furious argument.

Fenwick, who represented the Three Lions at the 1986 World Cup and won 20 caps for his country, has been in charge of the Caribbean nation since January 1, 2020. 

But his relationship with those working alongside him already appears to be strained after local reports emerged of an incident that ended with him allegedly lashing out at an employee in Couva.

Former England international Terry Fenwick allegedly headbutted a press officer after the Trinidad and Tobago manager was involved in a furious row

Fenwick represented the Three Lions at the 1986 World Cup and won 20 caps for his country

It is claimed by local media outlet Wired868 that Fenwick was heard shouting ‘I told you I am not doing any f***ing interview once he is here’ towards press officer Shaun Fuentes, seemingly unhappy with the presence of a journalist.

The manager was due to hold a press briefing with journalists at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva ahead of his side’s World Cup qualifiers against Guyana and Puerto Rico later this month.

Fenwick’s row with Fuentes reportedly escalated when the Englishman head-butted Fuentes. 

The pair later returned to the journalists and conducted the press conference.

Robert Hadad, a FIFA-appointed normalisation committee chairman, was present as the incident unfolded and later demanded a report into the incident.

Later on Wednesday, the TTFA issued a statement to local media that said ‘apologies were exchanged’ but it did not refer to a headbutt.

It read: ‘The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association wishes to state that following an incident at the Senior Team training session involving men’s national head coach Terry Fenwick and director of communications and team press officer Shaun Fuentes on Wednesday morning at the Ato Boldon Stadium.

‘The matter has been addressed at a meeting involving the two individuals, team manager Adrian Romain and the normalisation committee chairman Robert Hadad.

‘The TTFA further advises that the matter was blown out of proportion as head coach Fenwick only chose to express his disapproval of a certain member of the media fraternity being present at a scheduled media briefing on the eve of the team’s departure for the Dominican Republic for the upcoming Concacaf World Cup qualifier against Guyana.

Fenwick (left) is best known for his role in Diego Maradona’s stunning ‘Goal of the Century’ in England’s 1986 World Cup quarter-final defeat by Argentina

‘Apologies were exchanged and Fenwick and Fuentes have since agreed to put the incident behind them and continue the focus on the team’s upcoming assignments in Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.

‘Both Fenwick and Fuentes proceeded to conduct themselves in a professional manner and subsequently hosted the media briefing before the media present at the venue.’ 

Fenwick, 61, played for Crystal Palace, Queens Park Rangers, Tottenham, Leicester and Swindon Town during his playing career.

He is best known for his role in Diego Maradona’s stunning ‘Goal of the Century’ in England’s 1986 World Cup quarter-final defeat by Argentina.

Fenwick was among the number of English defenders who were left red faced by the Argentina star’s dribbling skills as he found the back of the net just four minutes after his notorious ‘Hand of God’ goal. 

His Trinidad and Tobago side have two World Cup qualifiers against Guyana and Puerto Rico later this month

Speaking after Maradona’s death last year, Fenwick said: ‘Initially I was bitter and twisted. It was handball, a free-kick to England. We thought we had the better 11 players on the field, but they had the world’s greatest player. He was the difference.

‘This fella was unbelievable. It didn’t matter how many defenders were around him. Give him the ball and he’d destroy you.

‘This guy ruined my international career over 90 minutes. But it was not for 20-odd years did I sit down and realise I’d played against the best player there’s ever been.’

A defender in his playing days, Fenwick went on to manage Portsmouth and Northampton Town before taking over at San Juan Jabloteh and Central FC in Trinidad and Tobago.

Fenwick then had a spell in charge of Belgian side C.S. Vise before taking up the role as national team manager with Trinidad and Tobago last year. 

Sportsmail has contacted the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association and Fenwick for additional comment.