Whitmore wants $1.5 million a month, JFF says it's unaffordable

Former Reggae Boyz head coach Theodore 'Tappa' Whitmore was demanding $1.5 million a month and the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) could not afford it, president Michael Ricketts has revealed.

Ricketts, speaking this morning on Nationwide Radio, said that expense would have had to be defrayed by sponsors and the JFF does not have such arrangements.

Last week Whitmore resigned with immediate effect.

IN PHOTO: Michael Ricketts

The JFF had offered him $500,000 a month and he was not satisfied with the term of his contract.

In January, the former national midfielder gave the JFF four weeks to sort out negotiations.

Meanwhile, Sports Minister Olivia Grange has said she will be seeking to mediate between the parties.

IN PHOTO: Sports Minister Olivia Grange

However, she has declined to say publicly, whether the government would be willing to assist with the payment of Whitmore's monthly salary.

Whitmore took over from ousted German coach Winfried Schäfer in October 2016 and since then has guided the Reggae Boyz to the Caribbean Football Union and CONCACAF Gold Cup finals last year, where the team lost both games to Curacao and the United States respectively.

Unless the situation changes, the JFF will now look to find a replacement as soon as possible as the national team has friendly international games against St Kitts and Nevis on April 26, three days after the Red Stripe Premier League final, and then against Antigua and Barbuda on April 29.

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