JFF withholds comment on Flemmings matter
Published:Saturday | October 3, 2020 | 12:12 AMDaniel Wheeler/Staff Reporter
Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) General Secretary Dalton Wint said that the body will not comment on the allegation involving national striker Junior Flemmings.
The 24-year-old, who plays for United Soccer League (USL) team Phoenix Rising FC in the United States, was accused of using an anti-gay slur to a San Diego Loyal player during their play-off match on Wednesday night.
The match was forfeited by Loyal players with the team leading 3-1 at half-time after Collin Martin, an openly gay player, reported the alleged incident to the referee, as did Loyal head coach Landon Donovan. Donovan has also accused Phoenix head coach Rick Schantz of downplaying the incident.
Flemmings has vehemently denied the allegation in a statement released on Wednesday night.
Wint said that the JFF would not make any statements on the matter as the investigation is still ongoing.
“As soon as the investigation is complete, then we will have a statement,” Wint told The Gleaner.
When contacted, Sports Minister Olivia Grange declined to comment on the matter at this time.
Flemmings was placed on administrative leave late Thursday night by Phoenix Rising. The club said that the action was done “so that he may focus fully on cooperating with the investigation.” Additionally, the club said that he was involved in “extensive interviews” with league officials.
Phoenix says Schantz has also been placed on administrative leave, based on what is being described as a matter unrelated to the Flemmings investigation.
This is the second time that San Diego Loyal has forfeit a match to protest an incident of discrimination against one of their players. An LA Galaxy II player allegedly racially abused a San Diego player just eight days prior to Wednesday’s match.