THE Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) has withdrawn its football team from all competitions following an incident involving its players at the military headquarters at Up Park Camp on December 10.

In a release dated January 13, the JDF said in keeping with its high priority on discipline, it has decided to pull its team from all tournaments and has launched its own investigation into the incident that occurred during a KSAFA Major League match betweem the homeside and Allman/Woodford FC.

“In light of an incident involving our football team and a team from Allman/Woodford FC, we have taken the decision to withdraw our team entirely from all competitions this season and have advised the various organisers of our intent to do so,” the release stated.

The JDF said its own investigation has led to the conclusion that the JDF players involved in the incident, which resulted in one player from the Allman/Woodford team sustaining a broken jaw and being hospitalised, will be charged.

“We determined that charges were to be brought against the individuals involved and strong disciplinary action has since been taken,” said the JDF statement.

Meanwhile, the three JDF players — Ricardo Gordon, Terrence Shaw and Kevin Mitchell — have been found guilty of breaches of the JFF Disciplinary Code and have been banned and fined by the governing body of Corporate Area football, the Kingston and St Andrew Football Association (KSAFA).

Gordon picked up a four-match suspension and fined $5,000; Shaw suspended for six matches and fined $5,000; while Mitchell was hit the hardest as he was banned for the remainder of the season and slapped with a $25,000 fine.

The suspensions and fines were handed down at the KSAFA disciplinary committee meeting held last Thursday following the match referee’s report, internal investigations and careful deliberations.

The trio was found guilty of breaches of the JFF Disciplinary Code articles 48, 49 and 47, respectively.

In a number of suggestions made by the Burchell Gibson-chaired KSAFA disciplinary committee arising out of the “violent incident”, it was recommended that the JDF underwrite the medical expenses of Allman/Woodford player Omar Grant, who suffered a broken jaw after he was set upon and beaten by a group of JDF players.

But the JDF in their response said that’s a matter that will require deeper analysis. “With respect to the issue of liability and accountability, we will have to look at these cases specifically to determine the way forward,” the JDF said.

KSAFA president Rudolph Speid welcomed the decision of his disciplinary committee and noted that his association will not condone violence of any sort in the sport.

“What took place in the game is rather unfortunate… I hope that this (action by disciplinary committee) not only sends a signal of the seriousness of our competitions, but also clearly indicate to the players that they are role models who should not take part in such behaviour,” he said.