JFF dismisses claims by Rivoli manager
Published:Friday | May 22, 2009 | 6:15 PM
The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) has dismissed claims by Ansel Smart, manager of Rivoli Football Club that the tardiness of the Federation has contributed to Devon Hodges not securing a visa to travel with the national team.
The national senior team is now in the United States for a friendly international against Haiti at the Lockhart Stadium tomorrow evening.
A release from the JFF said an application for US visas for the Hodges was made on Tuesday, May 12, but the player was granted an appointment date in the first week of June.
The release said Rivoli Football Club submitted the player’s passport to the JFF on Friday, May 8, and the visa fee was purchased the following working day – Monday, May 11.
The JFF further said an appeal was made for an emergency interview but the federation has not received a response from the US Embassy.
The JFF said the club should be blamed for Hodges’ failure to travel with the national team, as the player did not have a passport at the time he was called to the squad.
The release also said two other players submitted their passports to the JFF late and the federation was unable to secure interviews for them to be considered for the US trip.