While it may have occurred at an awkward time, the impasse between the JFF and the senior players — and now, their representatives — was imminent and may be described as ‘a necessary evil’.

For, while the local governing body for football will probably argue that transparency and goodwill are among its virtues, all stakeholders will not unanimously agree, with the sporadic mumblings from players a manifestation of a longstanding disquiet; thus the urgent need for dialogue.

The crescendo came during the final of the Digicel Caribbean Cup in Martinique few weeks ago, when the players threatened strike action and demanded better ‘working conditions’ from JFF boss Captain Horace Burrell. These included an increased per diem and percentage of the winning purse for the region’s elite football tournament.

That the Reggae Boyz went on to win the competition after Burrell acceded to these requests turned out to be a feather in the caps of the respective parties, and a modest fillip for the cash-strapped organisation, which would have welcomed the US$120,000 prize money to bolster its coffers — only that the players got the lion’s share on this occasion.

More importantly, the fifth such victory for the Reggae Boyz propelled them some 24 spots up the FIFA world rankings and positioned them to garner more lucrative and attractive friendly matches, while enabling the players a more hassle-free passage into the professional ranks of the competitive European leagues.

However, one cannot help but feel that such a showdown between the JFF and the players was bound to happen, considering that both have had to make significant compromises in recent times in the interest of the sport, and the attendant strain as a result. As such, the explosion was a delicate matter lurking beneath the surface, and which refused to be submerged any longer.

For, the fact is that money is the central woe of the JFF, and that the Captain himself is said to be owed a massive sum — some $14 million or so — by the federation. And even in averting possible embarrassment for the country in Martinique, the president had to dispense additional money from his personal funds, thus avoiding sanctions by the higher authorities had the matter not been attended to and the team withdrawn from the tournament.

On the other hand, the players have had to make their own sacrifices in terms of a hectic travelling schedule and less than lucrative financial returns whenever they represent their country. One recalls that the SDF had to be summoned to provide a miscellaneous $6 million, even before the team departed.

The rigours of professional football cannot be discounted, especially taking into account the rigid training and match schedule that obtains in the majority of overseas football clubs. The demands of the game apart, the sport is unpredictable, with the possibility of injuries being quite distinct, and enhanced by the fact that it is a contact sport.

In examining the vexed issue of the proposed four-year player contract posited by the JFF, one has to again examine both sides. On the face of it, this is not unique to the Jamaica football authorities, as a perusal of the Japanese setup, and indeed, a few other countries around the world, would corroborate.

It should likewise be noted that the JFF was spurred into action by the Martinique incident, with the need to prevent a recurrence and to protect itself in the future being the clear stimulus. In this regard, the local body no doubt acted in its own interest and must be blamed for being autocratic, as a contract — especially in a modern, democratic world — is presumably a two-party agreement, with both standing to accrue comparable benefits.

Even as it stands, however, the JFF would best be advised against such a hasty reaction which could ironically be to its own detriment. For, the binding of some 40 players for the next four years is assuming that these players will always be of the required standard, without consideration for any significant emerging talent.

Further, the local body would presumably be responsible for these players for the life of the agreement, even if they get injured or for any other reason, are unable to play football for any period.

As to the players, it may well be a matter of having one’s rights and relinquishing it by not observing due protocol during the DigiCup tournament. For, while the arbitrary football fan can empathise with the ‘plight’ of the players, a popular viewpoint is that the practice of washing dirty linen in public is definitely off limits, despite the subsequent apologies.

In this vein, the players would have been aware of the financial position of the federation in advance of the trip to the Caribbean island, and should have voiced their disgruntlement at a more appropriate time and in a more diplomatic fashion as well.

Ultimately, the impending meeting between the PLCA and the JFF should strive to address these issues. For, an amicable agreement cannot be anything less than in the best interest of football entering the second decade of the new millennium.