PRESIDENT of Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) Michael Ricketts says his organisation has responsibility for football in the country and, therfore, will not allow players to dictate decisions.

This quandary arose after 22 of the 23 senior Reggae Girlz squad members who had represented the country at the 2023 Fifa World Cup opted out of the two upcoming Concacaf Women’s Gold Cup qualification games against Panama and Guatemala.

The games are set for October 25 in Panama and October 29 on local soil. Cheyna Matthews, the other Reggae Girl, has retired and is focusing on family affairs.

There were even rumblings about the players’ reaction and the absence of player representatives from a scheduled meeting with the JFF on Friday.

Shortly after, JFF issued a statement suspending selection for all the players in question until they meet with the federation’s hierarchy to resolve all outstanding concerns, including payments.

The release read: “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 Reggae Girlz are said to have agreed to 20 per cent of the Fifa prize money paid to the JFF before going to the Fifa World Cup. The Girlz demanded that all outstanding monies be paid before the October window opened.

The players were due to earn 20 per cent of US$1.8 million, but the JFF only received US$1.2 million after Fifa withdrew funds owed to them. The Girlz insisted on being paid from the full $1.8 million, not the reduced sum.

The JFF has stated that there is an additional amount they are meant to receive, based on an application, and once it is obtained the JFF will pay the remainder.

The lengthy appointment of a head coach following the contentious non-renewal of Lorne Donaldson’s contract, as the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) hierarchy parted company with the highly regarded coach for his tendency to be outspoken, was another complication impacting the Girlz’ absence.

According to reports, the JFF interviewed three potential candidates for the position, including Englishman Jonathan Morgan. JFF was considering Morgan as a possible replacement but that was ruled out after allegations surfaced that the Englishman was being investigated by Sheffield United for alleged misconduct.

As a result Xavier Gilbert, who was initially retained as an assistant, has been requested to take over the position. He was named interim head coach on Thursday.

“Well, the JFF will make a determination. We have not gotten an official response from each of the players. One player says that she is representing all and then, of course, nobody has come out to say that this is not so,” Ricketts told the Jamaica Observer.

“So we are working on the assumption that they are not available but we’re putting things in place. The JFF is in charge of football, and we’re not going to allow it.

“Just because you are not satisfied and because we have not told you who the coach is, you’re going to make yourself unavailable? No, we have been strong, and we have taken a decision that we are not going to allow the players to dictate on this one,” the president affirmed.

With members of the Jamaica team from that fairytale run at the World Cup unavailable, Gilbert, who was one of three assistants to Donaldson — along with Ak Lakhani and Laura Thomas — managed to pick a full 23-member roster out of the proverbial magical hat for the upcoming games.

Ricketts stated that Gilbert has been involved in the women’s programme for over a decade and has been very successful, so his ability to lead the Reggae Girlz is without question.

“He must now step up as the interim head coach and show his worth. And we are confident that he has the ability to do well and to take us places so he has been given the reign — and we are just very optimistic and hopeful that he will do well.

“He [Gilbert] has a brand new set of players and he must now acquit himself to ensure that they are loyal and committed to the process and to the country, rather than self. So, we have no doubt that he will do well. We are very confident,” Ricketts said.

Ricketts is unsure who will be the head coach for the November and December games, despite references of the selection process and the probable involvement of other candidates. The 37th-ranked Reggae Girlz will host Panama on November 29 and conclude away at Guatemala on December 3.

“Well, Ak [Lakhani] would not be available for these games in October so he said he would be back for November. But because of his work commitment, he would not be able for now.

“He [Xavier Gilbert] was, of course, based on his experience and his long association with the female unit, he was chosen ahead of Mrs Laura Thomas so for the November game we have not made a determination on that as yet,” explained Ricketts.

Meanwhile, Marlo Sweatman and Chinyelu Asher have been called up for national duty after competing in the 2019 Fifa Women’s World Cup. Veteran goalie Chris-Ann Chambers is also on the team, as are Jayda Hylton-Pelaia, Alika Keene, and twins Malikae and Mikayla Dayes. The remaining members of the team are largely Under-20 players making the transition to the senior level. Destiny Powell, Chris-Ann Chambers, and Shaniel Buckley have been recalled from the Pan Am squad currently in Chile and will join the group in Panama. The team is set to meet in Panama City on Monday. Training is scheduled for Tuesday at 5:00 pm, with the game on Wednesday.

Squad

Goalkeepers – Chris-Ann Chambers (Dinamo Sokhumi), Javanae Jones (Multnomah University), and Alliyah Morgan (George Mason University)

Defenders – Lauren Reid (University of Maryland), Malikae Dayes (AAB (Denmark), Zoe Vidaurre (George Mason University), Nevillegail Able (University of Maine at Fort Kent), Alika Keene (SK Slavia Praha Zeny), Shanhaine Nelson (Cavaliers), and Tyiesha Nelson (Reinas Academy)

Midfielders – Chinyelu Asher (SCU Torreense), Israela Groves (London City Lionesses), Marlo Sweatman (Viktoria Haladas), Davia Richards (Hill College), Destiny Powell (Frazsiers Whip), and Jayda Hylton-Pelaia (Woodbridge Strikers)

Forwards – Ricshya Walker (LaSalle University), Christina Salmon (William Carey University), Mikayla Dayes (Rodez AF (France), Shaneil Buckley (Frazsiers Whip), Natoya Atkinson (Seaward County), Melissa Johnson (Charlton Athletic Women FC), and Sydnie Street (Seneca College)