Refs, League stand-off not nearing end
THE END of the stand-off between local football referees and the administrators of the Red Stripe Premier League is not close and this could threaten this weekend’s round of matches.
Both groups have aired contrasting claims about the payment to referees who turned up for just one game of match day 16. The referees stayed away because they are contending that they have not been compensated since the end of September.
President of the Premier League Clubs Association (PLCA), Edward Seaga, said that his association made every attempt to prevent the referees strike that has left the 2018-19 Red Stripe Premier League in limbo.
Seaga told The Gleaner yesterday that the PLCA handed over the requested money to the Professional Football Association of Jamaica (PFAJ). He said he was told that the payments to the referees were made before the noon deadline on Wednesday.
“The money was not fully available when the referees made the demand. We got it and sent it to the PFAJ, who I am told then dispersed it. And all this was done before 12 o’clock which was the demand,” Seaga said. “It is surprising to us that the referees went ahead with the strike because I was told that they got the money.”
STILL NO MONEY
But president of the Jamaica Football Referees Association, Malica Reid, said that up to noon yesterday, no money has been paid to his officials.
“Up to this morning that situation has not changed,” Reid said yesterday. “When we communicated with the referees department on Monday, we were told that monies would have been transferred. On Wednesday morning, that was not done. We were told that the referees should check their accounts and it was not done. Up to this morning, that situation has not changed.”
He continued: “Last year, we were told the very same thing. Cheques were written and the referees were embarrassed when they went to cash these cheques and they were dishonoured by the bank. I am not sure who the money has been paid to, but the referees have checked their accounts and are not seeing any positive reflections of any payments and that is up to earlier today.”
Up to press time, attempts to contact president of the PFAJ, Don Anderson, proved futile.
General secretary of the Jamaica Football Federation, Dalton Wint, told The Gleaner on Wednesday that the national body was working to resolve the matter. Wint, who is abroad on official business is expected home today.
“By Sunday, we hope that things will be back on track,”Wint said.
Two games scheduled for yesterday were postponed. Five matches are down to be contested on Sunday while Arnett Gardens will host Dunbeholden in the regular Monday night game on Christmas Eve.