JFF hits back after wide-ranging Bailey interview

The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) has expressed its concern about comments made by player Leon Bailey during an interview on the ‘Let’s Be Honest’ podcast, where he made a number of accusations.

In a release, the JFF said some of his statements are not entirely accurate and sought to set the record straight.

In the controversial interview, Bailey pointed to a number of issues, including not remembering the last time he received a payment from the JFF, and having to book his own flights.

He complained of getting flight confirmations at last minute and having to travel economy class with multiple stops.

However, the JFF declared that those assertions are “inaccurate and contradictory”.

“Contradictory because if he says he books his own ticket but then says he is always booked in economy, with multiple stops, and always receives the tickets late, then it would suggest that he (Bailey) is the reason why he has those issues, as he is the one who books the tickets,” it offered.

In order to verify the statements, the federation highlighted the last three bookings for Bailey.

On September 4, it said a ticket was booked on AA 6958, leaving London Heathrow at 10:25 a.m., with a stop in Miami and then a flight on AA 0850, departing at 5:57 p.m. to Jamaica.

“This is a typical one stop for flights out of the United Kingdom to Jamaica, and the seat type for both flights were business,” it stated.

It added that a second ticket for November 13 showed he was booked on VS 0103, leaving London Heathrow at 10:50 a.m., with a stop in Atlanta and then a flight on VS 3832, departing at 6:10 p.m. to Jamaica. The seat types were business and economy, respectively, on this occasion.

While the third ticket dated November 19 showed he was booked on AC 0983, leaving Montego Bay at 1:45 p.m., with a stop in Toronto and then a flight on AC 0854, departing at 6:20 p.m. to London Heathrow. The seat types were business for both.

The first ticket mentioned refers to Jamaica’s Concacaf Nations League, League A, Group B match against Haiti at the National Stadium, which ended 2-2.

While the second is for the Nations League quarterfinal first leg against Canada, also at the National Stadium on November 18.

While, the third ticket was for his return flight to England, after the second leg on November 21.

“We could of course show additional similar tickets booked for Leon, and so we are at a loss about the statements that he books his own tickets, that they were sent to him late, as all itineraries were sent days before,” the release countered.

It noted also that it is JFF policy to book all players on premium economy, which is similar to what is done in other sporting organisations, to save cost, and that this is communicated to all players.

However, it said the players can advise them, as they have done many times (including Leon), to use money owed to them to purchase business class tickets, but this is only done on the players’ advice.

Players can also upgrade tickets themselves or by setting off against funds owed to them.

It continued that Bailey’s charge of not receiving money from the JFF is “untrue”.

It said the JFF has declared that outstanding funds for the Boyz, from 2022 are currently being paid and will be completed by the second quarter of 2024.

“We can confidently say we have been paying per diem consistently. We also cover all costs relating to the camps or games. So, saying that no funds have been received from JFF is misleading, and unfortunate,” it said.

The player in the interview also pointed to his request to have his own room when it is customary, around the world, for players to share quarters on international duties.

“One thing we will not encourage is for any player to be treated differently from any other. However, what happens within the team is a matter for the coaching staff,” the release added. “The JFF wants to say again that it is unfortunate that we have to be addressing these public comments, as we believe that the professional thing to do is for differences to be addressed with each other and not through social, or other media.”

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com