Grange/JFF talks postponed

A meeting that was set to take place yesterday between the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) and Sports Minister Olivia 'Babsy' Grange has been postponed.

Ricketts had noted that he would use the meeting to seek assistance in funding a new remuneration package for interim national senior team head coach Theodore 'Tappa' Whitmore before reports surfaced that the minister was expected to use the talks to suggest other sources for funds.

JFF's president, Michael Ricketts, told The Gleaner that he was told yesterday that the meeting had been pushed back.

"The minister and I were supposed to meet today (yesterday), but I just got a call that she is not feeling well," Ricketts said. "I will call to get a new date."

Granville Newell from the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport confirmed that the meeting had been postponed.

"There cannot be any meeting with minister today (yesterday), and we cannot say whether the meeting is on or off. What we are prepared to say is that the Minister is out of office for a few days," Newell said.

In a previous story, Ricketts disclosed that he would be holding talks with Minister Grange and would use the opportunity to request an increase in the Federation's subvention from the Sports Development Foundation (SDF), which would then help to fund Whitmore's new deal.

Whitmore's contract with the JFF as interim coach ended last September. He is still working under the terms of that expired contract.

Whitmore, who is also a former Reggae Boyz star midfielder, refused to give details of his salary negotiations with the JFF.

"I think you have to talk to the president about that. He is the best one to answer that right now. I will just continue working," Whitmore told The Gleaner after the Reggae Boyz training session at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex earlier this week.

The team is in preparation for the upcoming friendly international against Antigua and Barbuda at Sabina Park on Sunday, March 25, starting at 5:00 p.m.