‘4-match ban harsh’
MONTEGO BAY United goalkeeper Jacomeno Barrett says a four-match ban handed out to him by the Professional Football Association of Jamaica (PFAJ) for head-butting Arnett Gardens striker Fabian Reid during a Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) Monday night live match at the Anthony Spaulding Complex recently is harsh.
The national goalkeeper, who was shown a yellow card for his actions, was retrospectively summoned to a disciplinary hearing last Thursday by the PFAJ, who made the ruling. The matter has now been referred to the Jamaica Football Federation’s (JFF) Disciplinary Committee, who will have the final say.
JFF disciplinary chairman, David Watt, when contacted yesterday, said the PFAJ had adjudicated on the matter but could not confirm a ruling. However, a Montego Bay United administrator, Sandra Christie, confirmed that there was a ruling, but she refused to disclose the decision. The club is now awaiting the JFF Disciplinary Committee’s meeting.
However, Barrett yesterday confirmed that he was slapped with a four-match suspension for the incident and is now hoping for a reduction when the JFF’s disciplinary committee meets next Tuesday.
“The action that they took is too harsh. Four matches is a lot,” he said.
NOT SPORTSMANLIKE
“I am responsible for my actions, so I am not trying to deny the action. It was not a sportsman-type of behaviour. But things like that happen in every league around the world. I knew I was going to get punished, but when I saw it was four matches, I thought it was ridiculous,” he told The Gleaner.
The incident took place 25 minutes into the contest on Monday, November 13, when Reid attempted to pressure Barrett on the goal line, but he reacted with a head-butt to Reid’s forehead.
Although the ’keeper was yellowcarded, television replays showed it was more serious, and the PFAJ retrospectively handed down the sanction on the former Rusea’s High custodian.
But he is now hoping the JFF Disciplinary Committee will be a bit more lenient.
“It (incident) was in the moment. I was just moving him out of my way ... . Although I touched him, I didn’t realise he got a cut,” Barrett explained.
“I apologised because I didn’t mean to hurt him. I apologised to him numerous times after the incident took place while he was on the field ... . I felt bad about the whole thing, and I take responsibility, ... but they (Montego Bay United) are going to speak to the JFF to see what can be done, and we are hoping something positive comes out of it.” he said.
“Four games out would hurt my team,” he added.