The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) says it inherited millions of dollars in debt when its current executive took office in 2024, as it pushed back against suggestions of financial mismanagement involving funding received from FIFA, Concacaf and the Trinidad and Tobago government.

In a statement issued by General Secretary Kareem Paul, the association said the executive committee found the organisation in a “severely constrained financial position” after assuming office in April 2024.

According to the TTFA, the January 2024 FIFA funding tranche had already been exhausted and there were no remaining funds from the government grant allocated for the 2023-2024 Trinidad and Tobago Premier Football League season.

The association said it also inherited approximately TT$6 million in debt owed to service providers, staff, referees, national players and airlines. The liabilities, it stated, were accumulated during the four years before the current administration took office.

The TTFA said these debts were separate from older liabilities addressed under a FIFA-backed settlement arrangement. Under that deal, the association is repaying an interest-free US$3 million loan through annual instalments of US$300,000 following an initial US$200,000 payment in 2024.

The organisation said FIFA retained US$300,000 from its January 2025 funding allocation for loan repayment and withheld an additional US$200,000 for legal expenses linked to contractual matters inherited from the previous administration. Another US$300,000 deduction was reportedly made from the January 2026 FIFA tranche.

The TTFA also said Concacaf deducts US$100,000 annually from its funding to service debts related to the country’s 2006 FIFA World Cup campaign.

The association acknowledged that delays in government funding disbursements for the domestic league have added to ongoing financial pressures, including unpaid referees’ fees in recent months.

Despite the financial difficulties, the TTFA said all national teams across various age groups have continued participating in regional and international competitions.

The association said discussions remain ongoing with FIFA, Concacaf and the government regarding debt settlement and funding timelines. It expressed optimism that all outstanding debts could be cleared by December 31, 2026, with significant reductions expected by September 30.

The TTFA also defended its financial oversight systems, noting that annual independent audits are presented to Congress and that FIFA conducts periodic reviews of its accounts.

According to the statement, FIFA audits carried out in 2024, 2025 and 2026 returned satisfactory findings with only minor recommendations for improvement.

The association said its financial operations continue to be managed with transparency, accountability and adherence to governance standards.