Reactions - 'Very shocking' - Grange
Published:Saturday | October 15, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Sports Minister Olivia Grange has expressed shock at the decision by FIFA's Ethics Committee to ban Jamaica Football Federation president, Captain Horace Burrell, for six months from football and its related activities.
Grange's reaction was communicated in a release to the media yesterday afternoon, after the penalty was handed down by the sport's world governing body, following investigations into the cash-for-vote scandal that preceded its recent presidential elections.
The minister's statement:
"I have just received word that the president of the Jamaica Football Federation has been banned by world football's governing body, FIFA, for a period of six months.
"This very shocking news for all of us. I certainly did not expect this outcome.
"While we are stunned and saddened by this development, we must move quickly to ensure that there is no fallout in our football programme. As always, I stand ready to give whatever assistance is necessary to ensure the continued development of football."