Boyz in line for Grenada friendly

Andre Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter

Fresh from their controversial Digicel Caribbean Cup triumph in Martinique, Jamaica's Reggae Boyz look set to tackle Caribbean rivals Grenada in a friendly international later this month.

No date has been given for the possible encounter, but Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) boss, Captain Horace Burrell, confirmed that discussions are nearing completion with his Grenadian counterparts and pointed out that the match, if secured, will be played in the Spice Isle.

The former army man was also quick to point out that while it is not a high-profile fixture, the match, which he stressed will not provide a match fee for the players involved, will serve in aiding the development of smaller footballing territories in the region.

A role that must be embraced

Burrell, a Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Associations of Football (CONCACAF) executive member and Caribbean Football Union (CFU) vice-president, believes it is a role that must be embraced by larger associations like the JFF and the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF).

"For the month of January, Grenada has been talking with us and, as you know, in the Caribbean we are not able to earn any sort of match fee and benefit, but we are trying to see if we can work with them because we have a responsibility as big brothers in the Caribbean, so to speak, to assist the lesser-developed footballing nations," Burrell said yesterday.

"In the Caribbean Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago are seen as the most developed football federations and, therefore, you find that we both are usually called on to play internationals against the other nations and we have a responsibility to do so, it's something we need to understand," Burrell added.

"Therefore, it's very possible that we may see the Reggae Boyz taking on Grenada in January, albeit they won't be able to pay us a match fee and so on, but we are trying to work with them," he noted of the impending clash against the Spice Boys

Burrell said the JFF is also in discussions with a number of other federations in an effort to tie down a match on February 9 - FIFA's fixed date for friendly internationals.

"The next FIFA date is in February and we want to take advantage of that date," said Burrell. "We want to play at least one friendly international on a monthly basis, even if it's always a challenge to do so."

Burrell also pointed out that, like the suggested Grenada friendly, any match secured for February by his cash-strapped organisation will also be played outside Jamaican shores, because the costs for hosting are prohibitive.

"For February we are talking with a number of overseas federations. We have not yet concluded discussions, but, as soon as we are able to do so, we will present that information. We are negotiating to have these games outside of Jamaica," said Burrell.