Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) General Secretary Roy Simpson says improved communication and cooperation between players and administrators have made their World Cup qualifying campaign much smoother than in previous years.

Simpson says the JFF now works directly with players on travel and accommodation arrangements, preventing the misunderstandings that once led to public criticism.

“We have learnt from our mistakes, and what we try to do is to bring the players to the table,” Simpson told the Jamaica Observer. “What we do is get them involved in the process. Now we communicate more. We are more upfront.”

Simpson explained that clarity around costs and options has created a healthier partnership.

“If we’re booking a flight and we say to a player, ‘We can afford Premium Economy,’ the player will say to us, ‘Okay, but I need Business Class.’ What we’ll say is, ‘This is what we can afford,’ and the player will say, ‘Okay, what I’ll do is I’ll ask my club or I’ll pay for the upgrade.’ “

Simpson says compromise has become central to the relationship.

“For example, if we say to you that we can only give you Premium Economy and you say to us, ‘I will travel premium economy, but I want a single room,’ that’s a balance, that’s a compromise,” he said.

With the World Cup within reach, he says motivation and unity have strengthened.

“Some things that might be an issue one time is not so much of an issue now…you are so close to a World Cup, what better time to sacrifice than now?”

Simpson’s comments came after Jamaica’s 1-1 draw with Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday — a result, he argued, must be understood from the context of the deep cultural and sporting rivalry between the nations.

“From day one we have said football has a lot of history, especially Jamaica playing against Trinidad,” he said. “It’s not just about football on the pitch…We saw the result and knew it probably would’ve been like this, although we all expected and wanted a win, but I was always guided and guarded by the history behind this fixture.”

Simpson also acknowledged that the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa may have weighed on the squad, even indirectly.

“I think it would have some amount of impact,” he said. “Even if you weren’t directly impacted by the hurricane, you know somebody.”

But he says the players understand their responsibility.

“I do not think that would’ve affected the players too much, mentally, because they understand that victory for the people now would mean more,” he said.

He insisted there was no question of effort.

“Absolutely, 100 per cent,” he said. “Each time you enter the pitch to represent the country, you want to win.”

With a must-win meeting against Curaçao at the National Stadium on Tuesday, Simpson urged Jamaicans to turn out in full voice.

“We play football for the public,” he said. “Every single player who has been named in this squad understands that there is no other way than to win and get to the World Cup, and we believe that playing against Curaçao on Tuesday in the National Stadium, needing to win, it will show what we are made of, what this means to us, and bring back memories of ‘The Office’.”