“We had to borrow to buy children’s Christmas gifts!” TTPFL execs try to quell strike threat

“[…] School opens on Monday. I can’t go to Massy Stores and say: I’m a ‘professional footballer’ in the TTPFL; I’m taking these groceries to pack my son’s lunch kit for school—when we get pay on Friday the 10th, I’ll pay you!

“[…] For Christmas, I had to borrow money to buy my daughter’s gift…”

“[…] I know two guys who have to be hiding their cars from house to house, corner to corner. The cars can’t even be at the players’ homes because they have outstanding instalments…”

Just over a month into the third season of the TT Premier Football League (TTPFL) and players are already threatening action over unpaid salaries and poor working conditions. This follows on unpaid match fees for Men’s National Senior Team players since June 2024.


Wired868 talks to four anonymous players from four different TTPFL teams on the matter, as well as Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president Kieron Edwards, acting TTPFL CEO and TTFA executive secretary Yale Antoine, SporTT head of Sport Development Unit Justin Latapy-George, and Police FC chief administrator and TTFA executive member Inspector Andrew Boodoo:

AC Port of Spain flanker Nathan Lewis (right) tries to evade Caledonia AIA full back Emmanuel Thomas during a 2024/25 TTPFL contest at the St James Police Barracks.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868

Wired868: So, tell me about the financial issues for TTPFL players?

Player W: My last salary received was for May 2024, which was the end of last season. Since the start of the 24-25 season, players [from my team] haven’t received a cent.

Preparation for the season started a month prior to the league’s kick off date with our club and, for that month of training, no salary was paid either. How can athletes perform to the best of their abilities if they have to focus more on off field matters than perfecting their actual craft?

(Player claims he is still owed a month’s salary for representing AC Port of Spain in the 2024 Caribbean Club Championship. AC is run by TTFA executive member, Ryan Nunes.)

I wrote the club and also a TTPFL representative and still the matter isn’t settled or a date for its settlement provided. Clubs in this country aren’t held accountable for their financial responsibilities—the TTPFL will receive written complaints from players about non-payment and let the club participate in the league without any repercussions.

I am a dad, so when I am not paid, it affects my ability to fulfil my financial obligations. For Christmas I had to borrow money to buy my daughter’s gift. Next week, school is opening and she has requirements for school, so I don’t know how I’m going to get it done.

AC Port of Spain playmaker Che Benny (centre) tries to keep possession during TTPFL action against Caledonia AIA at the St James Police Barracks.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868

How am I going to get her stuff for school? Without finances, how am I going to get things done? I am not able to provide for my kids as I am supposed to, as the man of my home.

Player X: The last time we were paid was October. No salaries were paid during preseason, so players went all of November without salaries and all of December, including Christmas, with no salaries.

Players at my team complained about not being able to get gifts for their kids for Christmas, not being able to pay monthly bills, rent, car notes, etc. Right now, it costs more to play than what players make—paying gas or transportation everyday all month and not being paid a decent salary, or not being paid at all.

Defence Force attacker Isaiah Leacock (right) has a crack at goal despite Police FC midfielder Simeon Bailey’s attempt to close him down during a TTPFL 2024/25 season fixture in La Horquetta.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868

(Editor’s Note: Player Y and Player Z both received some payments from their employers, although the TTPFL is yet to release stipends of TT$55,000 a month to clubs. Clubs contract players and receive the agreed funding from TTPFL to pay them, while they must raise their own money to go beyond that budget.)

Player Y: A lot of players have babies to mind and car installments to pay. The sad thing is the banks are looking for their cars and I know two guys who have to be hiding their cars from house to house, corner to corner. The cars can’t even be at the players’ homes because they have outstanding instalments.

Countless messages have been sent to the TTFA about payment and there are little to no replies. They said the Friday before Christmas we were supposed to get paid, or Christmas Eve for the latest. After that, we didn’t get any reply until 31 December.

Caledonia AIA forward Marcus Joseph (centre) tries to hold off Central FC players Caleb Sturge (right) and Malik Mieres during a TTPFL fixture at the Arima Velodrome on 21 December 2024.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868

Player Z: We all knew the league was supposed to start in November. The league didn’t start in November in the end, and a lot of clubs were preparing from October for a November start. It is just a couple clubs who paid players for their preseason.

The federation was supposed to pick up salaries from November until the end of May. They are saying now that they can’t pick up from November. They are going to pay from the beginning of December, when the league started.

Our club footed half of our December salary and right now, we are owed the other half. The money we got hit the players’ account at just about 4pm on Christmas Eve.

Spectators watch a match at the St James Police Barracks during the 2024/25 TTPFL season.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868

Even though we are thankful for the half, it was a bit inconvenient for players over the Christmas period. Players couldn’t get certain things done for their families, for the kids, and households and what not.

It affected a lot of players.

(Editor’s Note: As TTPFL players threatened strike action, a memo from Yale Antoine on 31 December 2024 vowed that “outstanding salary payments for December 2024 will be settled by Friday 10 January 2025”. The four players who spoke to Wired868 were all unconvinced and unsatisfied by the written assurance.)

TTFA president Kieron Edwards (front, left) and Minister of Sport and Community Development Shamfa Cudjoe-Lewis (front, right) meet the Trinidad and Tobago players before their CFU Boys U-14 Series contest with Aruba at the Dwight Yorke Stadium in Bacolet on 17 August 2024.
Photo: TTFA Media

Yale Antoine: The issues regarding outstanding payments would be rectified by the end of next week. That funding is coming from SPORTT which is our usual tranche, once it’s received, we will release the funds to the clubs appropriately.

Despite a slight delay in the release of funds, both SporTT and the TTFA have been working diligently and collaboratively over the past few weeks to ensure that all challenges were addressed effectively. Throughout this process, we have ensured that clubs remain informed via our established communication channels and their appointed liaison.

Any payment relative to preseason would have to come from sponsorship or funds we raise otherwise. The TTPFL’s government subvention doesn’t speak to preseason, as its funds are for players in competition—not for preparing for the competition.

[Stipends for preseason] isn’t something we could have guaranteed for the start of this season. If we maintain this current momentum, we can look at something retroactively.

TTFA president Kieron Edwards (front, left) and Minister of Sport and Community Development Shamfa Cudjoe-Lewis (front, right) meet the Trinidad and Tobago players before their CFU Boys U-14 Series contest with Aruba at the Dwight Yorke Stadium in Bacolet on 17 August 2024.
Photo: TTFA Media

Kieron Edwards: The stipends are for competition and not preseason. This is a professional league and it is up to clubs to prepare their teams. For instance, some teams like La Horquetta Rangers train throughout the year and some train for three weeks to prepare. It is up to clubs to treat with their teams—but the government assists for the competition.

The [outstanding] funds would be sent to players no later than next week. It would literally be a couple days short. So, we are a few days behind. Yes, we know the anxiety for Christmas. But most clubs would have assisted the players with some early payment for Christmas.

The plan was [for the TTPFL] to pay before Christmas. Most businesses pay before Christmas—but some things didn’t happen in time.

FC Phoenix forward Jariel Arthur (left) celebrates his goal against Caledonia AIA with a teammate during a 2024/25 TTPFL fixture at the St James Police Barracks.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868

This is the first payment from this new executive to the TTPFL. They have never dealt with me [before] and anybody who knows me knows I am a person of my word. If I say this is it, then this is it.

I know there may be a small group of players who are unhappy, but if we are talking about us being days late and if they’re saying they are not pleased—I won’t say they should be pleased but they need to give us the opportunity to show we are operating in a different way. We are trying.

Player W (in response to TTFA memo promising payment on 10 January): It shows the lack of respect they have for players’ responsibilities as providers in their household. Already players weren’t provided with their payments for the Christmas period leaving some unable to gift their loved ones anything. School reopens next week; how will players with that responsibility be able to send their kid to school on Monday 6th January?

Prison FC midfielder Saleem Henry (left) probes for an opening during a TTPFL fixture against Police FC at the St James Police Barracks.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868

Player X (responds to TTFA memo): The release by the TTPFL shows how little they care about the players. Players cannot put the bank or landlords on hold till the 10th or go to the supermarket and say: on the 10th I’ll pay.

Also, they have proved time and time again their word is not to be trusted as they never stick by their word. The 10th may well turn into the 15th or the 20th, who knows.

Player Y (responds to TTFA memo): The TTFA did a release because of the first letter sent out by the players. They saw it and said they want to pay in the next 10 days. If we didn’t take that first step, I don’t think they would have had a meeting.

Now they say by the 10th of January we will get paid. How sure can their word be? I think they are disrespecting the players and the league by extension. They have been saying the same thing over and over.

Defence Force attacker Isaiah Leacock (right) gives Police FC defender Mekeil Williams the slip during a 2024/25 TTPFL fixture in La Horquetta.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868

Player Z (responds to TTFA memo): Waiting until the 10th for salaries is way too long. I think they are trying to buy time. They knew the league was starting on whatever date—they should have had their house in order.

Wired868: Are there any other issues affecting players outside of unpaid salaries?

Player W: The playing accommodations on match day at some of the venues are totally unacceptable. Imagine playing in the Arima Velodrome in the second game in a double header and you’re placed in a tent that doesn’t even have lights. I’m talking about a match starting at 7 or 8 o’ clock. How are you expected to get dressed in darkness? It’s a joke.

Defence Force captain Kevin Molino screams in frustration during a 2024/25 TTPFL fixture in La Horquetta.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868

There’s no standard in this league. I like to compare us to Jamaica because at one point we were considered the two powerhouses of the Caribbean. But watch how their league progressed and how ours declined drastically.

The gap between us now is so clear, and you see it at the national team level also.

Player X: The playing conditions have always been an issue but it’s even worse now. The La Horquetta ground (in Phase Two) is heavy and takes away from the quality of the game and some of the lighting at games is also very poor.

The grounds are not the best but we understand that is what we have available. At the same time, we also know they can do much better in maintaining them—so if they could take that into consideration for the players, it would be appreciated.

Referee Timothy Derry (right) books Police FC player Ajani McIntyre during a 2024/25 TTPFL contest in La Horquetta.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868

At the moment, the La Horquetta ground should not be holding any games, yet they opened the league on the worst field!

(Editor’s Note: TTFA president Kieron Edwards is a former director at the La Horquetta Rangers football club.)

Player Y: I think they have to do better than the field conditions in La Horquetta. The lighting at the Arima Velodrome is poor, and the field in La Horquetta is unplayable. I think they focus more on the party after the game than the actual game itself.

We are trying to prepare for World Cup qualifiers and this is what the players have to deal with? So what do you expect when the World Cup qualifying time comes around?

Reggae artiste Isasha (top) wows the crowd at the Phase 2 Recreation Ground in La Horquetta on 10 August 2019, after an Ascension Invitational contest between La Horquetta Rangers and Matura ReUtd.
Photo: Allan V Crane/ Wired868

Player Z: The La Horquetta ground is horrible. Our players want to take a stand on that. If it was any other ground—like the Police Barracks or Mahaica Oval or the Arima Velodrome—and officials saw the ground in that state, they would have definitely called off the game.

So, match officials have to take a lot of blame for this. They know the La Horquetta ground is not fit for play but they don’t want to ruffle any feathers, so they allow players to play on an unfit ground.

Also the lighting in the Arima Velodrome is piss poor. They have to see what they could do about that with the relevant authorities.

AC Port of Spain midfielder Sedale Mc Lean (left) tries to hold off Central FC opponent Dominic Douglas during a TTPFL contest at the Arima Velodrome on 26 December 2024.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868

And then there is the issue of dressing rooms at the Velodrome and Mahaica Oval too. There are only two dressing rooms there and a lot of doubleheaders are being played there too. So when that happens, two teams have to be under a tent in chairs before their game.

When you are done playing in Arima, you have to go bathe behind the pavilion from a pipe. There are no proper private bathroom facilities for the players to use in Arima when you are under the tent. Point Fortin has proper bathroom facilities but it is just uncomfortable sitting on a chair inside a tent.

Also, the players want to know what is going on with prize money from last season. The last administration fulfilled their payment to the clubs (for the 2023/24 season) but there was no prize giving or award ceremony.

Defence Force defender Justin Garcia (right) receives his TTPFL Player of the Season award from Minister of Sport Shamfa Cudjoe for the 2022/23 season.
There has been no prizegiving ceremony for the 2023/24 season to date,
Photo: TTPFL

Antoine: Regarding the La Horquetta facility, we were made fully aware of its condition during the recent match day. As a result, we scheduled a two-week break (during the Christmas period) to facilitate critical drainage upgrades and other essential works to restore the facility to optimal standards for use.

At the Point Fortin Mahaica Oval, we are actively engaging with the relevant authorities to expedite necessary upgrades, including improvements to the rooms and lighting infrastructure.

While sourcing suitable venues has been challenging due to the unavailability of the national stadia for repairs and ongoing cricket activities, we have proactively identified and secured fields for the remainder of Round 1 fixtures.

These updates are reflected in the revised schedule as of 30 December, ensuring continuity through mid-February and clarity on the venues.

Police FC goalkeeper Adrian Foncette clears the ball during a 2024/25 TTPFL contest in La Horquetta.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868

Edwards: Ninety percent of the players got paid over the Christmas period. I know players at Terminix La Horquetta Rangers, San Juan Jabloteh, Prison FC, Defence Force, MIC Central FC Reboot, AC Port of Spain, Police FC, and Caledonia AIA got all of their funds or part.

I am not sure about Club Sando, Point Fortin Civic, FC Phoenix or FC Eagles—but at the next eight clubs in the league, all of their players were paid.

(Editor’s Note: Wired868 verified that players at Rangers, Jabloteh, Defence Force, Central, AC Port of Spain, Caledonia and Club Sando received part or full salaries. However, at least one player from Police and Prison FC denied their players were paid anything at all.)

Caledonia AIA midfielder Gabriel Nanton (right) tries to engineer an opportunity for his team in a 2024/25 TTPFL contest against AC Port of Spain at the St James Police Barracks.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868

Edwards: I am certain going forward we will treat with this (late payment). This is a no no for me, in terms of persons not getting paid before Christmas. I told my executive this is the first and the last time we should be in a situation where we are scrambling to make payments before Christmas. This is the first and the last time with me.

One thing I want to be clear about is the Ministry of Sport and Community Development is not responsible for any of this late payment. This has a lot to do with the previous administration—and not just the Normalisation Committee but previous executives in the past. It is not the fault of the Ministry.

We need a change of culture on the TTFA’s side of things, in terms of how we do things. We have a responsibility for athletes and we have to make sure that athletes are put first.

Police FC flanker Joshua Sitney (second from right) runs at the Prison FC defence during a 2024/25 TTPFL contest at the St James Police Barracks.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868

Justin Latapy-George (asked to clarify the current financial situation between SporTT and the TTPFL): TTFA submitted their revised budget for season two of the [TTPFL] on Thursday 15 August 2024—revised as the then Normalisation Committee of the TTFA submitted a budget on 3 April 2024 and the newly elected leadership of the FA indicated they would submit a revised budget upon assuming office.

Regarding the submission of their expense reports for season two, documents were submitted [by the current TTFA administration] on 4 November with a further submission on 8 November 2024.

These are currently under review with the expectation that this ought to be closed by 31 January 2025, subject to the TTFA submitting any further information deemed necessary upon completion of our review, which is currently underway.

[…] As I speak to you now, Sports Company has not received any budget from the TTFA for their year three.

Police FC playmaker Joevin Jones weighs up his options during a 2024/25 TTPFL contest in La Horquetta.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868

Wired868: So, what do players intend to do now?

Player W: If salaries aren’t paid, players are not willing to play. It makes no sense—we have to stand up for something.

School opens on Monday. I can’t go to Massy Stores and say: I’m a ‘professional footballer’ in the TTPFL; I’m taking these groceries to pack my son’s lunch kit for school—when we get pay on Friday the 10th, I’ll pay you!

Player X: The players do not intend to play any matches until salaries are paid in full.

Football fans take in a 2024/25 TTPFL contest at the St James Police Barracks.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868

Player Y: The players intend to strike if they are not paid before the game on the third [of January]. The 10th is too far for the first payment.

Player Z: Players are willing to take a stance and not appear on the field for Friday unless some redress happens with payment.

Inspector Andrew Boodoo (asked to confirm whether Police FC players were paid): Police players are all very disciplined players and I can assure you that no Police player would ever make such [a] complaint. Attend Police’s game [on Friday 3 January in La Horquetta] and you be your own judge.

Miscellaneous Police FC players huddle before kickoff in a 2024/25 TTPFL fixture at the St James Police Barracks.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868

Wired868: So, all Police FC players were paid?

Boodoo: Let me know who made the complaint and I’ll let you know if he was paid?

Wired868: John Doe. I can’t reveal my source as players did not want to be named. So, you can’t confirm that everyone was paid?

Boodoo: (No response.)

Prison FC player Levin Caballero (right) celebrates his goal against Police FC during a 2024/25 TTPFL fixture at the St James Police Barracks.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868

(Editor’s Note: The players gave the average salary at most TTPFL clubs at between $2,500 and $3,000, with a few marquee players earning between $6,000 and $10,000. Top players at Defence Force are believed to earn more.)

Player W: And then you have to fight to get that! I mean come on—you are already paying players next to nothing, yet you are not sure if you are even going to get your money at the end of the month.

(Editor’s Note: In the end, all the TTPFL games played on Friday 3 January with the disgruntled players who spoke to Wired868 also taking to the field.)

Defence Force attacker Isaiah Leacock (foreground) is congratulated by teammate and goalkeeper Jabari St Hillaire during TTPFL action against Police FC in the 2024/25 season.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868

Player W: I spoke with my teammates and they were willing to take the stance only if the opposing team had agreed also, which wasn’t the case.

I guess everyone doesn’t have the courage to stand up for what’s right in the end and some prefer to settle for mediocrity.

Player X: It was difficult to take the stance because a lot of the teams were paid something independently [of the TTPFL subvention]—so they were still given something. We didn’t want it to be a one team thing, but a united effort from all the clubs.

Player Y: My club was always going to play because we were paid. So, it was always about what the boys who were not paid were going to do. We were in full support of whatever they decided.

Player Z: Basically, a lot of players will talk—but when it’s time to take action, they don’t. That’s basically it.

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One comment

  1. At the expense of a possible bashing for a wide cross section of persons, I will repeat a statement that I have made for many years. Evidently, in its current form “professional football” is not sustainable. The clubs have not done enough over the years to ensure sustainability. Either we seek another model or abandon the idea of professional football in Trinidad and Tobago.
    A suggestion for a change model is to
    1. align the clubs with the city, borough and regional corporation for a five to eight year period, where all aspects of the clubs are the responsibility of suitably qualified persons in the respective corporation, thereby creating a following from residents within, while ensuring that a facility within the corporation is properly developed and maintained as the home venue for the club.
    2. This is where the government may be of assistance, provide tax incentives to businesses within the area on a tiered basis depending on the quantum invested.
    3. Make every club a limited liability company where individuals/entities can purchase shares, with the initial shareholding being available to persons within the catchment area.
    4. During the initial period until clubs are properly established, no player transfers would be allow and play must play for clubs with their of residence. This again will help to develop an identity and club pride, since the club belongs to an area.
    This is just an overview of the suggestion which can be further developed to create and ensure sustainability in the long term.

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