Dear Editor,

Leon Bailey is arguably the most talented and renowned footballer Jamaica has produced post-Ricardo “Bibi” Gardner. But he is not bigger than Brand Jamaica.

As a football lover I was the one back in 2017 who created a petition to have him invited to play on the national side.

Nothing is wrong with being egotistical, but if you are not producing, you should learn to be quiet. Bailey’s performances playing for the Reggae Boyz compared to his showings at his club Aston Villa is dismal.

Making demands is not a bad thing, but making unrealistic demands is utter nonsense. I am here in no way defending the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), but Bailey is overdoing it now. His most reasonable demand so far is asking for security presence.

I am a fan of the Reggae Boyz, not a fan of any one individual. But I have come to realise that he has very loyal social media followers who will defend him no matter what. But Bailey has lost even me, who use to wish him well.

Jamaica is playing in the Copa America football tournament for the first time since 2016. Bailey has never played in Copa and has chosen to miss it. Choosing to have a party/pleasure instead of representing your nation in blasphemous. I believe he thinks he’s bigger than Jamaica, he would never have tried this with Brazil, England, or any other highly rated football nations. I am in no way against dancehall music and parties, but as a football fan I am very disappointed in Bailey.

I am not a person who uses the word “ban” loosely, but in order for him to play for Jamaica again he should apologise to the fans, his teammates, and the country. Without an apology he should stay out of the national team. The Reggae Boyz represents a unifying force for the nation, not division.

Bailey is clearly bigger than Jamaica so he and his followers will laugh at anyone calling for him to apologise. I’m sure if Aston Villa required an apology from him, he would do so without thinking twice.

He is, in my opinion, being used to push some agenda unrelated to him. I respect Craig Butler, who played an integral role in helping Bailey to become one of Jamaica’s best, but he should let Bailey be his own man. We have a Bailey because of Butler, hence he will forever be loyal, but to what end?

Does Bailey want his legacy to be that of one who put party over country?

Teddylee Gray

Ocho Rios, St Ann

teddylee.gray@gmail.com