JFF silent on Busby allegations

The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) has declined comment regarding allegations of sexual misconduct against national senior women’s football team head coach Hubert Bubsy Jr.

In an article published by British newspaper The Guardian yesterday, former Vancouver Whitecaps Women’s team player Malloree Enoch accused Bubsy of various incidents of inappropriate sexual behaviour during his time with the team between 2010 and 2011.

Enoch said that she originally contacted Busby in September 2010 seeking an administrative post with the club, but Busby suggested she should try out as a player instead. Enoch alleges that the recruitment involved gifts from Bubsy, taking her out for meals, and asking her to stay with him alone in his hotel room. Enoch said that in an incident in February 2011 in Orlando, Florida, Bubsy made unwanted sexual advances towards her after convincing her to stay in his hotel room after scouting a tournament there.

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JFF General Secretary Dalton Wint and Women’s Committee Chairperson Elaine Walker-Brown both declined to comment when contacted, and calls to president Michael Ricketts went unanswered. However, the JFF released a statement yesterday that a meeting will be held with Bubsy regarding the alleged misconduct.

“The JFF is aware of allegations surrounding National Women’s Head Coach Hubert Busby. The executive of the JFF will convene next Tuesday to discuss the matter with Mr Busby,” the statement read.

The Guardian says that when it contacted Busby, he denied all of Enoch’s allegations. He also denied that his failure to secure a contract renewal with the club in 2011 was because of the allegations against him. Busby has not responded to The Gleaner’s requests for comment.

The allegations come in the midst of players speaking openly about details of abuse and inappropriate behaviour in the sport, specifically in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in the United States, where a number of Reggae Girlz play.

Former league players accused then North Carolina head coach Paul Riley of sexual coercion involving multiple teams spanning over a decade in an article published by The Athletic in late September. It resulted in Riley being fired from his post and his coaching license suspended. The Athletic’s investigation also led to the resignation of Lisa Baird as NWSL commissioner, with General Counsel Lisa Levine reportedly ousted by the league’s board of directors.

The Reggae Girlz are scheduled to start their World Cup qualifying campaign next February.