HARD LINES!
MEMBERS of Jamaica’s senior women’s football team, who had represented the country at the 2023 Fifa World Cup, claim that opting out of the two upcoming Concacaf Women’s Gold Cup qualification games was a last resort, but was necessary to put an end to the Jamaica Football Federation’s (JFF’s) continued “mistreatment” of them.
The Reggae Girlz are scheduled to play an away game to Panama on October 25 before hosting Guatemala on October 29.
In a widely distributed social media statement on Saturday the Girlz stated that the choice to skip the October international window for games against Panama and Guatemala was difficult but necessary, considering the circumstances under which they were required to report for duty.
The Reggae Girlz referred to the lengthy delay in the appointment of a head coach following the contentious non-renewal of Lorne Donaldson’s contract.
Xavier Gilbert was named interim head coach late Thursday, only four days before the team is scheduled to arrive in Panama for the match.
The Reggae Girlz are also alleged to have agreed to 20 per cent of the Fifa prize money handed to the JFF before attending the FIFA World Cup. The Girlz had demanded that all overdue payments be made before the next FIFA window, which would be this month.
The players were supposed to get 20 per cent of the US$1.8 million in prize money awarded to the JFF, but the local football governing body only received US$1.2 million after Fifa withdrew cash promised to them. The Girlz are insisting that they should be paid 20 per cent of the $1.8 million, and not the reduced figure.
“It is with great disappointment we share that the 2023 World Cup roster will not be participating in the upcoming international window for the first-ever Women’s Gold Cup Qualifiers. While this has been one of the hardest decisions we have had to make, we feel it is necessary to make such a drastic stance to put an end to the constant mistreatment we receive from the Jamaica Football Federation,” the statement said
“As always, it is an honour and a privilege to represent Jamaica. It is our job to perform to the best of our ability and put all our efforts into representing our country – making our fans, loved ones at home, and in the Diaspora proud. Due to the current circumstances the Jamaica Football Federation has put us in, we would not be able to do our job.
“We received information about our coaching staff, medical staff, and equipment staff in an untimely manner and through unprofessional communication. We have gotten confirmation of our head coach three days prior to our report date through social media, despite our efforts to have direct communication with the JFF,” the Girlz added in the statement.
Despite reports that the JFF paid World Cup money in full between Thursday and Friday, the Girlz claimed they have yet to receive “full and correct payments” for their historic round of 16 run at the global showpiece, as well as “numerous outstanding bonuses” for last year’s qualification.
“We have yet to receive full and correct payments for our historical performances at the World Cup, and the numerous outstanding bonuses for qualifying in the summer of 2022.
“We have dealt with this lack of communication, poor organisation, poor management, and delayed payments from the JFF time and time again. For these reasons we take our stance in solidarity, with hope to end this cycle of mistreatment,” the Girlz said.
The Girlz’ statement came as a direct response to a JFF release on Friday which stated that they have suspended any selection of the players in question until they meet with the federation’s hierarchy to resolve all outstanding concerns, including payments.
“The JFF is eager to clear up all the concerns that team members may have in accordance with the contracts. If there is a grievance or concern, this must be placed squarely on the table to be addressed and documented to the JFF,” the JFF release said in part.