WE were stunned by the apparent mixed signals which emanated from the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) in midweek resulting from an incident involving one of its functionaries, former Reggae Boyz captain and current national goalkeeper coach Mr Warren Barrett.

For those who might have missed it, there was an ugly brawl involving Mr Barrett and match referee Mr Donat McKenley during the second half of the Sunday, July 25 Western Masters League semi-final game between Mr Barrett’s Violet Tourers team and the Hanover Masters team at Jarrett Park in Montego Bay.

The allegations were that Mr Barrett physically and verbally abused Mr McKenley, which resulted in both men suffering injuries, forcing the premature abortion of the game. Two other games carded were cancelled, including a practice game by the national senior team and a St James Invitational outfit.

The following day, the JFF quickly intervened and ordered the immediate suspension of Mr Barrett from all football activities, including his job in the national programme, pending the outcome of a hearing.

The JFF at the time instructed the St James Football Association to launch an immediate investigation into the incident and to submit a report within 72 hours. Its president, Captain Horace Burrell, a member of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, an executive member of the CONCACAF and a vice-president of the Caribbean Football Union, used the opportunity to reiterate the federation’s policy of zero tolerance in respect of indiscipline, while at the same time apologised to fans, sponsors and officials for the embarrassing incident.

At the time, we were well and truly fully behind the JFF on its swift action, as any well-thinking and highly respected organisation had to act in its best interest, fully cognisant of the repercussions of any maladroit.

At the same time, we were very careful not to ascribe any guilt to Mr Barrett, as we remain true to the principle that one is presumed innocent until proven otherwise. Having said that though, we knew that the proverbial ‘deck’ was heavily stacked against Mr Barrett. Such are the natural biases in incidents involving match officials in football.

On Tuesday, the St James FA, after having held a hearing as ordered, reported to the JFF that it found Mr Barrett guilty of the charges and had suspended him for five years and imposed a $25,000 fine on him.

The St James FA, in its report, had also recommended, flippantly too, we thought, that Mr Barrett keep his job with the national programme.

Now imagine our dismay when the we got word that the JFF accepted the findings of the St James FA and also accepted the recommendation to allow Mr Barrett to retain his job with the national programme.

We have absolutely no ill-will toward Mr Barrett. In fact, we hold Mr Barrett, our Reggae Boyz captain from that historic 1998 World Cup team which brought so much joy to Jamaicans all over the globe, in high regard. Unlike many other players, we have no record of bad behaviour from Mr Barrett, and are willing to forgive him his wrongdoing and welcome him back when his punishment is served.

But somehow we can’t ignore the unease and totally illogical manner with which the JFF has gone about its execution of this matter. For it was the JFF which set the tone when it intervened, quite rightly we submit, and suspended Mr Barrett, pending the hearing. So with a guilty verdict, coupled with punitive punishment, how can the JFF now reverse its suspension of Mr Barrett and retain him in his post as national goalkeeper coach? Does not the zero-tolerance policy on indiscipline still hold?

We wish Mr Barrett luck with his appeal, but if the JFF wants to be taken seriously, then it had better rethink its position.