JFF 'saddened' over Marley resignation

The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), in a press release, this morning voiced sadness at the decision of former global ambassador to the Reggae Girlz, Cedella Marley, to call time on her appointment.

According to the JFF, Marley’s resignation has come at an unfortunate time because the football governing body had been making headway about a rift between itself and the senior World Cup squad.

Late last year, the Reggae Girlz had, en bloc, decided to make themselves unavailable in protest of a raft of issues, including delayed payment and ad hoc approaches to preparation.

The JFF had, since the release of a letter from the Reggae Girlz squad, said it had resolved the issues and was awaiting a response from the team.

Marley, in a letter, voiced concerns about the widening rift and suggested her resignation came on account of that rift.

See the full JFF letter below:

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JFF RELEASE

The JFF is saddened by the decision of Cedella Marley to resign as Global Ambassador of the women's football program. We are eternally grateful for the support Miss Marley and the Bob Marley Foundation have given to the Women's programme over the last decade, amidst the obvious gains, which have resulted in Jamaica achieving what no other Caribbean team has managed to do.

"I am saddened by the unfortunate decision of Miss Marley to cut ties with the Women's Program at this time," said Michael Ricketts, President of the JFF. "This is even more so as we are of the view that we had made significant progress in the discussions, and are just awaiting the World Cup players to come back to us and advise of their availability. We must thank Miss Marley and the Bob Marley Foundation for all the support that they have given over time. We want to assure her that the gains that have been made will be concretised as we move into the future. Through the program, the JFF has managed to convince young girls that they have viable career paths in the game as it develops globally. Finally, we are happy that she will continue to lend support to local women's football through the "Football is Freedom" initiative and are eager to offer any support that might be requested."

The JFF no doubt will always welcome the contribution of Miss Marley as we continue to develop women's football and provide a path for the young girls in Jamaica.