Wint shows his hand

DALTON WINT is still the general secretary of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) and is making further demands ahead of his promise to resign from the organisation following a blow-up with players over the course of this last week.

Wint, who was the man made to hold the pot after a travel cock-up in Suriname incensed players, was responding to a letter from JFF President Michael Ricketts in which he assured the general secretary he would be paid his full salary as per his contract up to 2023.

According to the response, Wint wants a monthly payment for the remainder of 2022. But in addition, desires to have the total sum, including a slated 10 per cent salary increase for 2023 to be paid in January, when he also wants full compensation for his owed vacation leave to be paid.

Wint has also offered to continue in the post for another month, but a JFF executive with knowledge of the situation said this suggestion is not popular among the delegates, most of whom were expecting his departure to be immediate.

“This is not to pressure you Mike (Ricketts). Please do not see it that way. I will stay on as per contract for a month or if you think a week is good enough then that’s ok,” the response read.

In the meantime, despite the banding about of numerous names in the media and on social media, multiple sources inside the JFF say the process of replacing Wint is yet to begin.

AWAITING NEXT STEP

According to one administrator, the topic of replacing Wint has not come to the fore yet and that he was also awaiting the next step.

Another executive declared that there had not been mention of a possible replacement in a formal setting and that the main focus was finalising Wint’s resignation and his severance arrangement.

The Gleaner reached out to three of the many names that have been making the rounds, Dwayne Dillon (KSAFA general secretary); Andrew Price (former JFF executive and Professional Football Jamaica Limited general manager); and Burchell Gibson, (former JFF general secretary).

When contacted, Price said he was always ready to serve his country. Dillon was not willing to comment, while Gibson said he had no interest.

“I always support my country, but I have not been approached by anyone. I would not say I am not interested, but I have not been approached. So I can’t comment on speculation,” said Price.

Dillon took a similar stance to the suggestions in the media.

“I have no (media) interviews to give because I know nothing. I have nothing to say until somebody calls me from the JFF and we have a discussion.

“But right now I am not doing any interviews. I am just watching to see,” he said.

Gibson, while saying he had no interest in the position, said he believed the JFF needs a complete overhaul.

“I have no interest. I am heavily involved as a senior manager in the RJRGleaner Communications Group at this time. The JFF, I believe, needs to put in place, proper structure, and that requires more full-time focus than I would be able to provide right now,” he stated.

Gibson is not alone in his thinking, with another former administrator at this level going even further.

Former JFF president from 1985-’92, Tony James was very vocal when The Gleaner spoke with him, saying that the failure of the general secretary was not the only issue at play.

“He (Ricketts) is not being a president. He doesn’t have the courage or leadership capacity. Players called a meeting and said the general secretary should resign, and what is his response? He did not defend his general secretary. He hung the man out to dry.

“Ricketts is the president. He has to take the blame. He is captain of the ship. He should resign as president, and the entire board should go with him.”

Gibson has looked at the issue from a structural point of view, saying:

“The general secretary reports to the president on a day-to-day basis, but the management committee, which consists of the president and the vice-presidents, must take responsibility.

“If the general secretary reports to the management committee then the management committee should resign.

“If the general secretary reports directly to the president, the president should resign.”

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com