‘No excuse’

GENERAL SECRETARY of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), Dennis Chung, said there is no excuse for late visa applications for Jamaica’s U15 boys, who had their participation in an international tournament in Sweden this week cancelled.

Chung said that logistical challenges caused delays in applying for Schengen visas and that the tardiness put the entire trip in jeopardy, making it difficult to secure a flight to reach the event on time.

As a result, the JFF pulled the team from the tournament.

“There were some logistical issues. We were waiting on names to be confirmed. But the truth is, we should have applied earlier for it (visas). There is no excuse for that. There should have been an earlier application,” he said.

Chung could not confirm the interview date for the players, which The Gleaner understands was Monday; however, he explained that everything was done to help secure the visas in time but that at some point the organisation realised its efforts would be futile.

“With US visas we are able to get through much quicker than with the Schengen visas. We went through the process of trying to get certain assistance but it wasn’t possible.

“Some (players) had it (visa) but most of them never got through. So they didn’t get the visas in time before the tournament. When we saw that it was getting close, we said that it would make no sense. So a decision was taken based on that not to send them,” he explained.

The under-15s are preparing for the Concacaf Under-15 Men’s Championship in August and the experience and exposure for the young players would have been invaluable.

However, Chung revealed that they have all but secured another tournament for the youngsters to get the much-needed match practice.

“We are going to do something else so they can get the playing time. They are still in camp and preparations are still being made for the tournament in August.

“It is unfortunate that we missed this one in Sweden but we are going to ensure that they get some time in a similar tournament and that arrangement is being finalised. In fact, we have gotten some confirmation and we are just awaiting some further details,” he disclosed.

“But something else has been organised, another tournament with same standard and everything.”

It is also being reported that the federation might have to pay up to €35,000 in fines for missing the tournament, but Chung said he has not received any notification of that.

“No, I do not know of any fines. I would have to check on that.”

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com