Sport minister Olivia Grange says she has spoken with Reggae Girlz Captain Khadija Shaw for clarity on the controversy regarding the team’s funding.

Although Jamaica’s historic qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup round-of-16 was cause for celebration locally, and in the diaspora, fans of the team shared outrage on social media after being led to believe that a portion of its funding had come from a crowdfunding campaign launched by a player’s mother.

This is based on what players said on social media on Wednesday after their 0-0 draw with Brazil, which saw them advance from Group F as runners-up behind France.

Grange confirmed that the team did receive money through a GoFundMe campaign but made it clear that it was not the only source of funding as at least $25 million was specifically provided to the team by the Government through the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF). This is in addition to assistance from the JFF’s corporate sponsors and partners.

Grange says she also cautioned Shaw to be mindful of how her social media activity may shape the perception of the country and its affairs.

“I had a good talk this morning with Bunny Shaw and I got some clarification,” Grange said while speaking at a Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association press event on Wednesday afternoon. “The impression that’s being given is that they struggled and they’re on their own and they got where they got to and a GoFundMe account was set up to help.

“I spoke with her and indicated to her that she has to be mindful of the comments she makes because they can embarrass Jamaica. She agreed, and she clarified the GoFundMe account that was set up was done by one of the players’ mothers, and the funds were sent directly to them. Each girl got US$1,500 (over J$233,000) for their subsistence. They have to manage what they say and not give the impression that they are not getting the support they need.

“The support they need may not be 100 per cent, but we do what we can, the Government of Jamaica, I’ve detailed what we have done so far and we recognised they needed some funding directly, and that is why we’re now sending them US$2,500 (just under J$390,000) each.”

While this figure mentioned regards a per diem for the team, the Government also added further clarity about additional funding provided. The JFF confirmed to the Jamaica Observer that its World Cup budget is US$2 million (just over J$311 million). It said that $3 million for general operational costs is provided monthly, as well as an additional $5 million specifically for the women’s programme by the Government through the Sports Development Foundation. A further $20 million is provided by the JFF’s corporate partners. The Government also announced an additional $20 million in April as funds specifically for the Girlz. The JFF says FIFA, the Bob Marley Foundation, and the Reggae Girlz Foundation also provide funding.

Grange says that she is always willing to step in and defuse any tension that arises between the team and the JFF.

“I have an excellent relationship with the athletes in all disciplines and where there are issues, I try to be that mediator to resolve them,” Grange told the Observer. “Whatever tension exists between the JFF and the Reggae Girlz, I know that we will overcome them because I am going to make every effort to see to it that it is overcome.

“I have been able to work as a mediator to ease some of the tension that exists between the JFF and the players, as well as Cedella Marley [from the Bob Marley Foundation], and I think we are getting somewhere. It’s just unfortunate that the impression given this morning would have taken the shine off everything, but we’re gonna take care of that.”

The Reggae Girlz’s advancement to the round of 16 is a first by any Caribbean team of any age group or gender at a FIFA World Cup. They now face the winners of Group H in Melbourne, Australia, on Tuesday at 3:00 am Jamaica time.