BALTIMORE, Maryland — Embattled Jamaica defender Alvas Powell has apologised for walking out on his teammates in the middle of the ongoing CONCACAF Gold Cup.

In a statement issued Friday, the Portland Timbers player said he was sorry for his actions, which has triggered the wrath of fans of Jamaican football.

“Firstly, I would like to sincerely apologise to the people of Jamaica, the [Jamaican Football Federation] and my teammates. I am truly sorry this situation has occurred, as I wanted to play for my country in the Gold Cup. Unfortunately, things were not handled right and I take full responsibility for my actions,” his statement said.

The player, who turns 21 on Saturday, said his decision to leave the camp had nothing to do with a purported lack of playing time.

“This wasn’t to do with lack of playing time,” Powell’s statement said.

Powell, who was at training on Friday for his club’s game against the Vancouver Whitecaps, the club of Jamaica teammate Darren Mattocks, did not give a reason for his decision to leave the national set-up, claiming he has opted not to say “out of respect” for the Reggae Boyz, who are in preparation for their Gold Cup quarter-final match against Haiti at the M&T Bank Stadium here on Saturday.

Match time is 8:00 pm (7:00 pm Jamaica time).

The former Portmore United player, who has some 13 senior international caps for Jamaica, expressed a desire to represent his country in the future.

“Hopefully, I can work through these things with the manager and federation as representing my country is an honour and something I take great pride in, and in the future I very much want to be a part of my country’s national team,” Powell’s statement went on.

“I am confident the Boyz will continue to have success and I am 100 per cent behind the team,” it ended.

Sean Williams