JFF, CONCACAF to decide on venue

The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) and the CONCACAF inspection team led by general secretary Ted Howard will meet later this afternoon to decide on a second venue for the Under-17 World Cup Qualifying series, just four days before the start of the tournament.



The tournament was thrown into chaos last night after the Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium was rejected as a match venue by the CONCACAF inspection team.



The Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium was one of two venues listed to stage matches. The other venue is the Catherine Hall Stadium in Montego Bay.



JFF general secretary Horace Reid says a decision regarding the tournament and a second venue will be taken today following two meetings.



The Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium was scheduled to host the opening matches of the series on Monday featuring Haiti against Costa Rica at 12.30 p.m. Cuba against the USA at 3 p.m.



Reid blamed the management of the stadium arguing that they had repeatedly promised that the venue would be ready.



He says the situation is very embarrassing and further argued that the rejection would have a negative impact on Jamaica’s reputation in CONCACAF.



Four countries will advance from the 12-team Qualifiers to the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Mexico later in the year.



Meanwhile, Minister of Sports Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange has ordered an investigation as to why the playing surface at the Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium is in an unacceptable condition.



Minister Grange says she was shocked when she saw the condition of the playing surface during a tour of the venue yesterday.



The Minister says the surface was in a better condition after the venue hosted the Jazz and Blues festival two weeks ago.