Lofters also fuming over allegations of ineligible players

CAMPERDOWN HIGH School football coach Donovan Lofters has added his voice to those who have said the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) has mishandled an issue involving allegations of the use of ineligible players in this year’s ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup.

The issue came to rise when word made it into the public domain via a Television Jamaica news story that Hydel players had been playing in breach of at least one of the rules of transfer, according to ISSA policy.

It is alleged that three players had attended Pembroke Hall High School prior to the start of the Manning Cup but turned out for Hydel when the season began.

Pembroke Hall did not take part in the Manning Cup this season.

In response to the allegations, ISSA president Keith Wellington indicated that, as of this year, where there was allegation of a breach, teams would have to make a formal complaint to his organisation within 48 hours of an infraction.

Wellington said he had received no such formal complaint and that, further to ISSA investigations after hearing about the breach, had found no ineligibility issues.

Since then, Pembroke Hall coach Marvin Thompson has come out to say, he made an official complaint and spoke with Wellington about the issue.

Hydel High failed to make it past the first round of the Manning Cup and the issue seems to have been laid to rest. However, Lofters has been left feeling aggrieved, suggesting his team was hurt by ISSA’s apparent inaction.

ISSA’s NON-ACTION

“Hydel should have been docked points or removed from the competition for using several ineligible players from Pembroke Hall who competed in matches,” said Lofters.

“Because of ISSA’s non-action, Camperdown has failed to advance to the next stage of the competition,” he added.

Camperdown ended the first round fourth in Group E behind Hydel (14 points) on 12 points, with their opponents splitting the spoils of both games with them after 0-0 and 1-1 draws.

That four-point swing, in addition to Hydel’s place above them in the table, could have put Camperdown into the second round as one of the three best third-placed teams. Instead, Jose Marti booked their place as the final qualifier.

“Re: the Pembroke Hall players playing for Hydel, Camperdown took it on themselves to make an official enquiry, providing information to the executive of ISSA waiting on them to rectify the registration. Facts were there that these players were in attendance at Pembroke Hall up to August 2022 and ISSA has failed to even respond to Camperdown’s written request,” said Lofters.

According to Lofters, Hydel did not use the players in their final two fixtures of the round, a 4-2 defeat to Wolmer’s Boys’ and an 8-0 drubbing at the hands of Mona High School, which signified an understanding that there was, in fact, a breach.

“Since the information was brought to light, Hydel admitted guilt by not using these players in their final two matches and the results showed where they lost, including a 8-0 drubbing from Mona,” said Lofters.

“ISSA executive has no respect for Camperdown and Pembroke Hall principals, and all schools should be treated fairly,” said Lofters.

“Nothing can be done now to change the position taken by ISSA. Going forward, all I am asking for is equal rights and justice and fair treatment to all players,” he added.