Barrett upset about decision

Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:

Tuesday night's decision by the St James Football Association (StJFA) to dish out a five-year ban and a $25,000 fine to former national captain Warren Barrett, after a recent fracas with a referee, has left him fuming as he is of the view that he was unfairly treated.

"They did not allow me to call witnesses on my behalf," said Barrett, who was relieved of his duties as national goalkeeper coach following the incident. It is, however, unclear whether or not he will be reinstated as goalkeeper coach as a decision has not been made by the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF). "They basically relied solely on the reports they had requested from various persons, including the referee."

Barrett was left with a bloodied nose while referee Donat McKenley was left with a busted lip and a dislocated finger following a fistfight that occurred during the Sunday, July 31, second-leg semi-finals of the Steve Bucknor Western Masters League finals at Jarrett Park.

"I have to question the honesty of the various reports because unlike the media, none of them stated that I was head-butted and ended up with a bloody nose," said Barrett. "God knows the truth of what happened and I am comforted by that."

JFF vice-president Bruce Gaynor, who participated in the disciplinary hearing at the Montego Bay Cricket Club Building, said the former national captain never indicated that he had witnesses to speak on his behalf or he would have been facilitated.

Unhappy

"We were not informed that he (Barrett) had witnesses or we would have facilitated them," said Gaynor, who is also the general secretary of the St James FA. "Nevertheless, if he is unhappy with the ruling, he can lodge an appeal to the JFF within 24 hours."

Barrett's teammate Philip Wong, who was cited for striking the referee and was hit with a similar fine and period of suspension, said he felt his action was justifiable as he was merely defending his brother (Dr Alvin Wong), who he said was being attacked by the referee. .

"I can apologise for fighting but I cannot apologise for defending by brother," said an unrepentant Wong. "My brother was trying to part the fight and was being punched at by the referee, so I went to his assistance."

Two-hour wait

Dr Wong, who was summoned by the FA to explain his part in the fracas, responded to the summons but after a near two-hour wait to be called departed the venue for work at the Cornwall Regional Hospital.

"I cannot wait any longer because I need to report to work," said Dr Wong prior to leaving. "I really wanted to go in and explain my position because I can't afford to have misinformation in the public domain about me."

One former national player, speaking on condition of anonymity, said he believes the decision taken against Barrett was more to appease the JFF than to serve justice.

"The JFF acted with indecent haste to suspend Warren (Barrett) from his duty as national coach, so a way had to be found to justify what they did," said the former national player. "I am not condoning indiscipline but we are talking about a man who has served his country with dignity for over 20 years."