Reggae Boyz Lawrence, Campbell back with team after Costa Rica immigration issues

Jamaican defender Kemar 'Taxi' Lawrence and striker Norman Campbell have now reunited with the Jamaican contingent in Costa Rica after the intervention of the Jamaican Government prevented their deportation following documentation issues in the Central American country.

Lawrence and Campbell were not allowed to enter the country for Jamaica's FIFA World Cup qualifier (WCQ), which takes place on Wednesday, after it was discovered, upon their arrival, that they did not meet the immigration requirements, due to the absence of valid US Visas.

The two were forced to remain at the airport for several hours and faced deportation before the intervention of Sports Minister Olivia Grange as well as Jamaican Ambassador to Mexico, Sharon Saunders, who also has responsibility for the Central America region.

The Jamaican contingent arrived in Costa Rica early Monday afternoon with the two players reportedly receiving their visas and being allowed to leave the airport approximately 1:00 a.m. Tuesday morning.

"I got a call from Ambassador Sharon Saunders, who indicated that the process was complete and that the JFF General Secretary (Dalton Wint) received a call to come and collect the boys,come and pick them up," Grange told RJRGLEANER.

Jamaica will be looking to bounce back from defeats to Mexico (2-1) and Panama (3-0) in their opening WCQs, when they tackle Costa Rica at 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday from the Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica.

Efforts to contact JFF General Secretary Dalton Wint proved futile.