Burrell won’t comment until nominations

WESTERN BUREAU:

Facing what is likely to be the most serious challenge to his presidency of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), Captain Horace Burrell is refusing to respond to comments made by Montego Bay businessman Orville Powell, who is seeking to boot him from the sport's top position locally, until nomination closes next week Thursday.

Powell announced that he is making himself available for the presidency of the JFF at a press conference on Tuesday, slamming the Captain Burrell-led administration for presiding over a period of rapid decline for the country's football.

However, Burrell told The Gleaner yesterday he has nothing to say on the list of issues laid out by Powell.

"He has to first be nominated by four parish associations, so until he is nominated, it makes very little sense in making a comment at this time," Burrell said.

"Mr Powell has made himself available and there is a process where he will have to receive the support of at least four associations," Burrell reiterated.

"When he (Powell) becomes a credible candidate, then I will issue a statement, but at this time, he is not a candidate. I will do so after nominations," stated Burrell.

Gauging his support and weighing his words, Powell said on Tuesday the feedback he has been getting suggests that his candidacy is just a matter of formality.

"Let me put it this way; discussions are ongoing and I am confident as can be. All we have to do now is to wait until such time when we will know what we will know," he said.

"As it is now, it's highly possible I will get the required amount for nomination. Discussions have been good and the support I am already feeling is a positive one," Powell added.

According to a source, who requested anonymity, Powell, who also owns Montego Bay United Football Club - which won the Red Stripe Premier League two seasons ago and were runners-up last season - should get the required nomination from neighbouring parishes Westmoreland, Hanover and his resident parish, St James, while Trelawny's stance is less certain.

Powell is a former JFF vice-president and chairman of the JFF Western Confederation.