Dear Editor,

On December 22, 2022 Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) changed its statutes from articles to a new constitution. It expanded the voting rights for the federation from 13 to 56 persons.

The federation, although mandated to inform all members of the procedure to activate their voting rights and the obligations of all members upon the implementation of the new constitution, failed to do so until September 2023 when they invited them all to an extraordinary congress. The members in pillar 3 were erroneously told that they were not yet members and had until December 20, 2023 to comply with certain regulations to be able to vote.

Despite being advised by Fifa to educate the new electorate on the contents of the new constitution, JFF again failed to advise or guide these new electorates, particularly as it relates to the transition provisions. They left it up to the interpretation of each individual.

Subsequent to the September 2023 congress we learned of two new groups being formed after that congress which the board of the JFF wanted to give the votes to, despite the existence of established groups within the membership as indicated by the new constitution.

The outgoing JFF board comprised 17 persons, nine of whom are seeking re-election on one slate supporting the incumbent president, and two challenging the incumbent. These new groups were formed by board members who do not have a vote in the elections. Despite the obvious conflict of interest the board took it upon itself to ratify these two new associations, at the expense of the already-existing bodies, to give them the vote ostensibly so as to enhance their re-election hopes.

The challenging RSA team successfully appealed this to the JFF’s Appeals Committee which ruled that it was the responsibility of the electoral committee, and not the board, to determine which of the competing entities should have a vote. We are told by the JFF that the Electoral Committee disagreed with the ruling and stated that, “They said that they were the ones to determine the membership because the constitution clearly states that it is the board and the congress that determines a member. But, since they also accept that the constitution says that the Appeals Committee’s ruling is final and binding, they will accept the responsibility but will first refer it to the board to make a recommendation, which they always do, as to who should be a member.”

To date, the RSA team has not been advised if and when the Electoral Committee has or will decide these issues.

The election has been called for March 17, 2024, with improper notice being given to the members and candidates. The constitution states that it requires 60 days’ notice for an electoral congress but the JFF has ignored this and is refusing to share any communication with and from Fifa on their (Fifa’s) alleged recommendation on the issue.

This is of grave concern to us as Fifa had previously issued a written edict that all electoral matters at the JFF be put on hold until and when they had communicated a course of action as stipulated by them (Fifa). But we are yet to see evidence of any further communiqué from Fifa on the matter, while there is still a pending court matter by a third party.

I would like the ask the JFF the following:

If you wish to be transparent and observe good governance then why the secrecy with the communication with Fifa?

Why didn’t the secretariat assist all members to be conversant and compliant with the constitution? Why were six parishes unregistered bodies?

Which bodies have been given the votes for beach soccer/football and the coaches association? And when was this decision taken by the electoral committee?

Have all members now satisfied the prerequisites to carry their votes?

Why isn’t the final list of approved bodies and delegates nominated to represent their body at the electoral congress not immediately available to all parties and candidates?

What arrangements (as is constitutionally required) are being made to accommodate delegates for this congress, and when and how will these arrangements be communicated to the delegates?

The JFF belongs to the people of Jamaica — not any individual or group of persons. It may be registered as a private company limited by guarantee but it is funded by the people of this country with our taxes, gate receipts, and corporate sponsors. We all deserve to know what is going on in the federation as it is the people’s sport, and not ours. All I ask is that you do the right thing and stop the secrecy and declare to the public the facts with these elections.

Jacqueline Cummings Gordon-Martin

Attorney-at-law and notary public

Vice-presidential candidate in the JFF elections