RSPL to kick off next Sunday — JFF boss
The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) issued a statement yesterday that the nation’s top-flight club competition will begin September 24 after a delayed start to the 2017-18 season.
The Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) was expected to kick off on September 3, but was postponed on August 31 by the JFF.
The country’s football governing body had cited concerns, including the failure of the Premier League Clubs Association (PLCA) to deliver payments owed to Montego Bay United (MBU) and the referees’ body.
The PLCA has since cleared the amount owed to the referees and, at a meeting two weeks ago, agreed to pay MBU half of that outstanding sum.
But the JFF was steadfast that the St James-based club must be paid in full, an amount it said was nearly $2.8 million.
The parties met on Friday to resolve the stand-off, and it was up to new JFF president Michael Ricketts — elected only yesterday — to deliver his first act as the man in charge.
“The league will start next Sunday, September 24,” Ricketts told reporters yesterday at the JFF base in New Kingston.
“All the parties involved jointly agree that the advancement of Jamaica’s football must be paramount in consideration,” he continued.
Ricketts was optimistic that the impasse had not soured relations with the league’s title sponsors Red Stripe.
“As much as we are disappointed with the delay, they have expressed a level of understanding, and we do hope that the relationship will not be hurt in any way,” he said.
Reading from the joint statement, he said: “The date has been agreed on by the Jamaica Football Federation, the Premier League Clubs Association, and the Professional Football Association of Jamaica (PFAJ) and, of course, the representatives from the 12 participating clubs in the Red Stripe Premier League for 2017-18.
“It has been agreed that Montego Bay United will be paid the full sum, interest-free, for its participating in the Red Stripe Premier League 2016-17 season.”
The amount paid over will take into consideration fines, and other costs in accordance with the governing rules and regulations.
Ricketts said the PLCA, JFF, PFAJ, and MBU FC “wish to express sincere apologies to sponsors, players and all other stakeholders, especially the football-loving public for any inconvenience and distress” that occurred as a result of the impasse.
He also gave assurance that all parties are “committed to restoring the public’s faith in the standard of administration” of football in Jamaica.
— Sanjay Myers