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Defending Darren - JFF stands by embattled striker Mattocks

Published:Tuesday | May 26, 2020 | 12:23 AMRobert Bailey/Gleaner Writer
Jamaica’s Darren Mattocks (left) dribbles past Canada’s Dejan Jakovic during a CONCACAF Gold Cup quarter-final match, Thursday, July 20, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz.
Jamaica’s Darren Mattocks (left) dribbles past Canada’s Dejan Jakovic during a CONCACAF Gold Cup quarter-final match, Thursday, July 20, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz.

DALTON WINT, general secretary of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), says embattled Reggae Boyz striker Darren Mattocks is still part of the association’s plans for the upcoming Concacaf World Cup qualifiers.

Mattocks, who plies his trade with Major League Soccer side Cincinnati FC in the United States, is facing two felony charges in Pennsylvania.

He is facing one count each of making a false, fraudulent or incomplete insurance claim and theft by deception.

CASE POSTPONED

Wint told The Gleaner that Mattocks has advised that the case has been pushed back due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, he added that he was not able to say when he will appear in court.

He added that Mattocks has the federation’s full support and underlined that he is still in contention for a place in upcoming squads.

“We have no issue with him because he is a good player and all he has to do is to keep up his performance and he will be considered (for selection),” said Wint.

“We have supported him as far as we can because we have done that, and we just hope that he will get through whatever accusation he is accused of and that he will be able to clear his name,” added Wint.

“Everybody do make mistakes and some bigger than others, but it is our player and we are supporting him and hope that what he is being accused of, he will be cleared from it,” he said.

The 29-year-old has scored 18 goals for Jamaica in 50 appearances since making his debut in 2012.

Wint noted that the former Bridgeport Manning Cup standout has performed well for the country over the years and he expects that he will continue that once he is selected in the national team.

“He has served us well and he has recently performed creditable well in the Gold Cup and some of our Nations Leagues games for us,” Wint noted.