Eleven of the 14 Jamaica Premier League clubs have been cleared to compete in regional competitions as Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) announced that its First Instance Body has awarded regional licences to the majority of teams contesting the nation’s top football competition.

Arnett Gardens FC, Cavalier SC, Dunbeholden FC, Harbour View FC, Montego Bay United FC, Mount Pleasant FA, Portmore United FC, Racing United FC, Tivoli Gardens FC, Vere United FC and Waterhouse FC have met the criteria and as a result have been granted the licences.

The remaining three clubs — Chapelton Maroons FC, Humble Lion FC, and Molynes United FC — received domestic licences, meaning they will not be eligible for the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Caribbean Cup or the Concacaf Caribbean Cup if they finish in the top three of the JPL standings at the end of the season.

Each club was required to meet the minimum criteria outlined in the 2018 JFF Club Licensing Regulations.

This season’s achievement of awarding 11 regional licences marks a significant increase from last season, when only four clubs — Arnett Gardens FC, Cavalier SC, Harbour View FC, and Mount Pleasant FA — received regional licences.

Club licensing, introduced by FIFA, is a key element in promoting the professionalisation of football worldwide. This system is based on principles-driven criteria and establishes minimum standards that clubs must meet to obtain a licence and participate in competitions. The Club Licensing Regulations focus on five key areas: administration, sporting, financial, infrastructure, and legal. The goal of these regulations is to standardise and elevate football club management globally.

Carlene Edwards, chairwoman of the First Instance Body, expressed gratitude for the commitment displayed by the clubs in meeting the requirements.

She stated, “The process was challenging initially, as we needed to review and update clubs simultaneously, ensuring they submitted correct and updated documents while adhering to established deadlines in the Club Licensing Regulations Support Manual.

Nevertheless, we remained dedicated to the task and successfully delivered all decisions within the stipulated time frame. We look forward to continuing our collaborative relationship with the clubs and anticipate achieving 100 per cent compliance in delivering regional licences next season.”

In a statement, Michael Ricketts, president of the JFF, emphasised the federation’s commitment to supporting the club licensing process.

He stated, “I am incredibly proud of our clubs for their dedication and hard work in achieving club licensing. This milestone not only reflects their commitment to excellence but also underscores our promise to elevate football in Jamaica. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the First Instance Body for their tireless efforts in ensuring we meet our commitments to Concacaf. Their diligence in overseeing the licensing process has been crucial in raising the standards of our football community. JFF remains dedicated to empowering our clubs as they strive to excel on both national and regional stages.”

The next category of stakeholders to be onboarded in the Club Licensing process will include the Women’s Premier League teams and the JFF championship teams.

Carlene Edwards, chairperson of the JFF First Instance Body.