SAINTE-LUCE, Martinique — Captain Horace Burrell could hardly mask the deep hurt he felt as he met with the Reggae Boyz contingent who had threatened not to take the field for last night’s Digicel Caribbean Cup game against Guadeloupe in Martinique.

The militant players on Sunday evening had given the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) an ultimatum to agree to better terms of remuneration or they would not “lace up” for last night’s match at the Riviere Pilote Sports Complex, which would see the Boyz advance to the semi-final with a win.

Burrell, in reacting to the players’ position, was a picture of pain when he met with them and other members of the official delegation at the Pierre & Vacances Hotel, and with his best efforts, could not hide his disappointment with the situation that could cast Jamaica in a negative light to the rest of the footballing world.

“Jamaica is a poor country, but a proud people. We are a poor people, we are going through hard times at home, crime and violence, and as far as I’m concerned, this would further exasperate that situation at home and make our people sad,” Burrell said in his impassioned address.

In a delivery painted with patriotism, and one that perhaps questioned that of the players, Burrell lashed out, but eventually “bowed” to the players’ demands in “the interest of my country”.

“Let me tell you, I am prepared to die for my country, my position has not changed, and as such I have instructed the head of delegation (Raymond Anderson) that I, Captain Burrell, from my own personal funds will bow to your request in the interest of Jamaica, in the interest of my country, the pride of the people of Jamaica, our poor people… I will bow, I will wire and I will get the funds to pay all of you what you have demanded, no problem,” said the former army man.

A boycott of the remainder of the tournament would be a disaster for the JFF and Jamaica.

“If we were to strike and not play, this would create tremendous embarrassment on the country, not Burrell, on poor Jamaica and as such I would die before I allow something like that to happen.

“I am too proud a Jamaican to make Jamaica’s name be drawn into the mud. This has never happened to football in the history of this country and as long as God has blessed me I will never sit in this chair and allow that to happen, so US$14,000 (about J$1.2 million) will be paid personally by the president himself,” fumed Captain Burrell.

The Boyz, the defending champions, had withheld their services yesterday and threatened not to “lace up” for yesterday’s game against Guadeloupe if their demands of a US$100 per diem for the 12-day competition, plus 80 per cent of the team’s winning prize money were not agreed to by the JFF.

The players had rejected the JFF’s offer of US$500 (about J$44,000), approximately a US$42 per diem for the duration of the tournament, and now that the JFF has yielded to the

Boyz’s demands an additional US$14,000 is required to meet the US$100 per diem, which Burrell has agreed to pay from his own pocket.

Burrell and his general secretary Horace Reid were quickly on the scene at the players’ hotel for a hurriedly arranged meeting which started approximately 10:30 pm on Sunday, and lasted just under half an hour.

The JFF boss instructed head of delegation Raymond Anderson to give each player the US$500 that the federation was willing to pay from the outset, then he explained that the additional funds would be disbursed in segments by 3:00 pm today and by the same time on Friday.

Prior to their meeting with the JFF president, a group of four senior players — including captain Shavar Thomas, Luton Shelton, Rodolph Austin and Jermaine Taylor — held a press conference with the Jamaican media here.

They sought to lay the foundation for what brought them to their action.

“We won’t lace up our boots unless we get our full per diem and agree on our 80 per cent of the win bonus…” Thomas said.

The players noted that they have been asked by the federation to hold strain for some time and they have gladly obliged, but now they believe it is time for the JFF to make the sacrifice for this tournament.

The players were also quick to claim that they weren’t doing this for the money, because for the most part they earn much more at their clubs overseas.

“If it was because of money I would never be here because we don’t get paid anything that can ‘jerk me’,” explained Shelton, who plays in Scandinavia. “I play because I want to play for my country and it is an honour to play for my country and as you can see a lot of these players they play overseas and it is like US$1,200 (about J$93,00) is nothing compared to what they earn… I am not here because of US$1,200, that is like pocket change, but at the same time you have young players here, players who might need it and we have to take a stand to know that they stop treating the players the way they do…,”

he said.

Austin, who plays in Norway, agreed. “For me what I am really speaking up for are the younger guys because it does not really affect me too much, but you have many players here who have kids and play in the premier league and it is Christmas and what US$500 is going to do to the family when you go back home,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Boyz made a promising start to defend the regional title when they defeated Antigua and Barbuda in the opening match of Group I on Saturday. With the strike averted, the Boyz were due to face Guadeloupe in the second game of a double-headers last night.