Boyz issue ultimatum

The Reggae Boyz' continued participation in the Digicel Caribbean Cup (DCC) was in doubt up to press time last night, as the players have insisted that they will not take the field for tonight's game against Guadeloupe unless certain conditions were met by the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF).

The Boyz, who also refused to train yesterday, are demanding US$1,200 per diem and 80 per cent of the prize money should they go on to win the DCC, terms which have not found favour with the federation. In a meeting with the players before they left the island, the JFF had proposed 50 per cent of the fee and US$300 per diem, however, that was flatly refused. That offer has since been increased to US$500 but the players have also turned that down.

The players represented by senior players Shavar Thomas, Luton Shelton, Rodolph Austin and Jermaine Taylor have insisted that the stance is one based on principle and not about the money. The protest action, they said, was on behalf of those who previously represented the nation and ended up with not much to show for it and younger local players who are perhaps badly in need of the income.

"We won't lace up our boots unless we get the full per diem and 80 per cent of the win bonus," Thomas told members of the media, at a meeting at the team's hotel yesterday.

An eleventh hour intervention had been planned for late last night, in a bid for both parties to come to an agreement and salvage the situation.