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00:20Tonight the TTFA faces mounting financial strain player unrest and credibility questions all as Trinidad and Tobago's Nations League campaign
00:33hangs in the balance this after the support company of Trinidad and Tobago refused a multi-million dollar funding request
00:40from the TTFA casting fresh doubt over the TNT Men's Nations League campaign Mark Passant has this exclusive story.
00:50This internal support TT board note dated August 26th and obtained exclusively by CCN recommended that the TTFA's request for
00:58just about $2.5 million be rejected.
01:01The note cited an embargo and further allocations to the football body triggered by outstanding expenditure reports.
01:08The TTFA had sought the funds to defray costs tied to the senior men's Nations League fixtures including airfare, accommodation,
01:16ground transport, music licensing, safety and security, ambulance services and contingency expenses.
01:24But Sport TT's Sport Development Performance Unit did not recommend approval pointing to unresolved financial reporting.
01:31According to the board note, the TTFA was formally advised of the funding hold in May this year.
01:37The STPU is still reconciling more than TT $11.5 million in previously released funds tied to the Premier Football
01:46League, the Men's World Cup campaign and the Women's World Cup programme.
01:51Officials say late submissions, incomplete documentation and reporting lapses have compounded the backlog.
01:57The refusal comes as a national team prepares for its Nations League commitments.
02:02It also follows a wild 868 report that several international and locally based players have withdrawn from the tour, citing
02:09unpaid match fees from previous campaigns.
02:12Sport TT's CEO Arnold Ram declined comment and calls to Sports Minister Philip Watts went unanswered.
02:18In June, the Sunday Express had already flagged concerns about TTFA's financial stewardship, while TTFA's President Kyron Edwards defended his
02:28administration's handling of public funds.
02:31Mark Bessant, TV6 News.
02:34Well, following the filing of this story, we did catch up with Sports Minister Philip Watts, who noted the challenges
02:41faced by Sport TT with respect to the reconciliation by the TTFA.
02:46Minister Watts said, quote,
02:48Such issues have predated my tenure and continue to be a hurdle towards accountability and transparency.
02:56We will agree that matters of the public purse should engage our attention and we must be diligent in the
03:02allocation and spending of the same,
03:04and must not be accused of mishandling or misappropriating.
03:08I, as minister, will do all that is required to ensure that all NGBs are in compliance with the rules
03:16and or policies to ensure good governance in this country, end quote.
03:21He said the TTFA had outstanding reconciliation since 2024.
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