Reggae Boyz apologise to nation, JFF

Ryon Jones, Gleaner Writer

Members of Jamaica's national football team have apologised for the protest action taken during the recent Digicel Caribbean Cup tournament in Martinique.

In an open letter to the public and the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) yesterday, the players described their action as "misguided" and improper.

"We have concluded that our actions were not proper and also misguided. We've also concluded that our actions consequently, even though not intended, caused undue embarrassment to the country. Again, this was not our intention. As a result, we are using this medium to publicly and unreservedly apologise to the JFF, the people of Jamaica, our families all the Reggae Boyz fans in the diaspora and other parts of the world for any role that we may have played, in this matter that has led to embarrassment and discomfort to all concerned," the Boyz said in their letter.

Team captain Shavar Thomas, one of seven signatories to the letter, explained the reasons behind the players' decision to formerly apologise.

"It was just based on our take on the situation and how we felt about it, we just decided that was a way to go," Thomas said. "It is not a situation where the players are against the JFF or anything of the sort because we are working in conjunction. We just think it is the right move and we are looking forward to doing good things in 2011," he added.

Moving forward

The Kansas City Major League Soccer player is trying to put the situation behind him and move forward.

"It is a group thing ... right now I just consider the matter done and dusted and we are just looking forward to 2011 and trying to do some good stuff towards World Cup qualification, and first of all at the Gold Cup," Thomas stated.

The 29-year-old defender is not overly perturbed by the possibility of disciplinary action being taken against him.

Thomas said: "The JFF has a board and a committee that handles that and they are the ones who will go about it the way they should, and we will see the outcome. If action is taken against me personally, if that is how they see it, that's it; whatever comes my way."

The Reggae Boyz camp was thrown into turmoil on November 28 when the players refused to train on the eve of a preliminary-round match against Guadeloupe, and demanded total per diem of $1,200 and 80 per cent of any prize money won at the tournament. 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 was increased to US$500 but the players also turned that down.

To defuse the situation, president of the JFF, Captain Horace Burrell, used money from his personal funds to satisfy the players' demands.

At home, there were mixed views on the players' action but most people viewed the players' action as an embarrassment to the country.

The Reggae Boyz retained the coveted Digicel Caribbean Cup on Sunday, defeating Guadeloupe on penalty kicks in the final.