PFJL continue Premier League efforts

Christopher Williams, chairman of Professional Football Jamaica Limited (PFJL), said they have decided continue their efforts to secure approval for the return of top-flight football in Jamaica this season, after a meeting of its members on Wednesday evening.

He also revealed that the PFJL will be writing to the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) and Concacaf to request an extension of the season to August.

However, most critically, he says is getting their house in order for the Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Desmond McKenzie, and Minister of Sports, Olivia Grange, to take their case to Parliament, for the league to be held in a contained environment, adding that plans are already in motion to have their presentation ready for April 21.

"We have pushed back our decision to April 21 and the reason is we have had very good discussions with the ministers of sports and local government, towards the design and execution of a bubble or a contained environment," said Williams.

"They have given their support in that direction and they would like to present it to cabinet as soon as possible and so we decided to stand down any decision until we get some feedback on the bubble design," he added. "We are looking towards designing the bubble and confirming the host (venue) and the Chief Medical Officer and the protocol security firm."

"We are making a recommendation tomorrow (Thursday) to the board on the Chief Medical Officer and we have identified one potential bubble host and that host is waiting on the bubble design from our Chief Medical Officer," Williams continued.

"We are also in negotiation with a firm to provide protocol security and we expect to make the announcement on that by early next week," he added.

Williams admitted that the clubs are growing increasingly frustrated but noted if given approval by the Government, they will be seeking an extention to the season.

"There are three cabinet meetings between now and the 21st, so we are hoping to make one of them and Minister McKenzie is working with us to get it on the agenda," he said.

"It has been hard, disappointing and an emotional rollercoaster for my clubs and I feel for them but ourselves as independent directors are even more motivated now then ever. So despite the several disappointments we have had, we cannot allow the football not to be played," he said.

"We are also going to be asking JFF and Concacaf to allow us to play the league during June, July and August period. We don't know (if it will be granted), but there is precedence, as in the EPL, UEFA allowed them to go into August last year.

"But it is Concacaf's decision, so we are asking the JFF to lobby that on our behalf and we hope for the best," Williams said.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com