WINT OUT
After initial reluctance to accept calls for his resignation from members of Jamaica’s national senior team, Dalton Wint has indicated to the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) board that he will step aside, possibly ending a tumultuous tenure as general secretary which started back in 2017.
Wint, who has been at the centre of several issues involving national teams, was again placed in the firing line after logistical issues, relating to travel arrangements following the country’s Concacaf Nations League match away to Suriname on Saturday.
According to sources close to the situation, Wint informed JFF President Michael Ricketts that he will step aside; however, up to press time, he was yet to indicate an effective date and had not officially submitted his resignation.
However, following an emergency board meeting on Monday evening, the embattled administrator was told clearly that he will be fired if he refuses to hand in an official resignation letter.
“He (Wint) has to go. We are awaiting the official letter but if that does not arrive, he will be fired,” said a high-ranking member of the JFF, who asked not to be named.
This spared the JFF serious repercussions from Fifa and Concacaf, as today’s return-leg fixture against Suriname is expected to go ahead as scheduled.
The game, set for 8:00 pm at the National Stadium, was left hanging in the balance as the impasse escalated after it was indicated that Wint, on the advice of JFF’s attorneys, would be suspended indefinitely and an investigation launched into the matter, instead of asking for his resignation.
The players, who were insistent on Wint’s immediate removal, disapproved and as a result, the team decided not to show for Monday’s training session at the National Stadium with further threats of not taking the field until Wint is removed from his post.
A statement said to be from the players expressed their discontent at the constant “lack of respect, transparency and communication” from the JFF hierarchy of which Wint is said to be the main protagonist.
“We the players are saying, enough is enough. We need a change, we need better leadership. The love, passion and excitement of playing in front of friends and family is being drained by the constant lack of leadership by the JFF,” the statement calling for Wint’s resignation said in part.
The impase started immediately following the Reggae Boyz’s 1-1 stalemate with Suriname in Paramaribo, when it was revealed that flight arrangements had been fouled up.
The Boyz, who were scheduled to arrive on the island Sunday ahead of today’s return-leg encounter, arrived on Monday instead.
It is understood that the administration was unable to tie down arrangements for the initial charter flight and, as such, had to seek alternative arrangements, which were assisted by a number of people, including Minister of Sport Olivia Grange and Professional Football Jamaica Limited (PFJL) Chairman Chris Williams, as well as player Leon Bailey.
Grange, in a release, said she will be requesting a detailed report from the JFF on the matter.
“I will continue to work closely with the JFF and the Reggae Boyz as we are also aware of other matters of concern related to the management of what is possibly the most popular sport in Jamaica,” the release stated.
Meanwhile, interim Head Coach Paul Hall, who reportedly told the JFF top brass that he would be resigning with immediate effect, sent out the warning that the country’s dirty laundry being aired in the public, could hamper potential overseas-based players from joining the programme.
“Brand Jamaica needs to make sure we are looking professional and being professional as well,” Hall said during a virtual press conference on Monday.
“I have been working hard in the diaspora and there are some young talents who are so excited to come into what we have achieved and people have been looking over their shoulders having seen how aggressive we are. So we have to be professional to ensure those players are considering us and when we go on the field everybody is going to want to come,” he added.
Hall is expected to stay on with the team, after Ricketts indicated Monday that the coach’s threats to step aside were made in solidarity with the players.
The Boyz and Suriname are currently on one point each in the three-team standing from where the top two teams will secure spots in the next Concacaf Gold Cup.
Jamaica is scheduled to face group favourites Mexico at the National Stadium on June 14.