JFF boss slams 'joke' proposal

Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) president, Michael Ricketts, has described Craig Butler's latest proposal of a football friendly between the Reggae Boyz and his Phoenix Academy as a joke and says if he (Butler) wants to be national football director, he should follow procedures like everyone else.

Butler recently proposed that the senior Reggae Boyz engage the Phoenix All Stars during an international break, in a two-leg contest one in Kingston and one in Montego Bay and if Phoenix wins, he should be given football director job, and that if he loses, he is to be considered a liar.

But Ricketts, who was elected only a month ago, says Butler couldn't be serious.

"I won't even think about this. It's a joke. Mr Butler couldn't be serious. These are not the conditions under which you make national decisions. That is not the process for selecting the director. Jamaican football is of national importance, and Mr Butler makes it look like a joke.

"He wants Phoenix to play Jamaica, and if Phoenix wins, he is to be named football director. That's a real joke. There is a process in selecting JFF staff ... Mr Butler thinks I have authority to employ. I don't. The board of directors do that," he stated.

Ricketts said he told Butler recently he has a role to play and should submit his application for consideration.

SAME TREATMENT

"I told him to bring his resume and I would take it to the board, who will have the final say ... we have not seen or heard from him since. I am recommending (Wendell) Downswell for the same position. Downswell submitted his things [rÈsumÈ and application letter] and it will be brought before the board on October 28. So, just like how Downswell is treated, that is how everybody is treated," he said.

The new JFF boss insists he has a decent relationship with Butler and hopes the recent disagreements between the latter and the Federation will not negatively affect that. However, he says Butler is acting immature and he has a responsibility to the people.

I have all of Jamaica to answer to, and even though my answers may not resonate with every single Jamaican, I have a responsibility for Jamaica's football. The JFF is no 'patty shop", he said

"Butler and I have a decent relationship, but the way he is behaving, he is not supporting me," he added.