JFF to streamline PLCA, PFAJ
Livingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
PRESIDENT OF the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), Michael Ricketts, says the controversy surrounding the necessity of having three separate bodies to administrate the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) should be resolved by the start of the 2019-2020 season.
Ricketts revealed that instructions were received from the regional governing body, Concacaf, to have the matter rectified and that the various parties have been holding a series of meetings to come to an agreeable conclusion.
Currently, both the Premier League Clubs Association (PLCA) and the Professional Football Association of Jamaica (PFAJ) play a role in the execution of the competition.
Ricketts noted that this will have to be changed, admitting that there is a possibility both bodies might be merged.
“The JFF is addressing that, and we have been having some meetings in this regard. There was a suggestion/instruction from Concacaf that two entities should be enough to run the football, we have three. We have the PLCA, the PFAJ and the parent body, the JFF. But we have been having discussions and I am pretty sure we will be making the adjustments in short order,” Ricketts said.
Ricketts would not reveal much of the details of what the new structure will look like, only that an announcement will be made soon.
“We hope that all parties will be comfortable with the new structure, this new format. But we are having discussions and I hope to make an announcement soon,” added Ricketts, who stated that he is not expecting any resistance.
“It could very well be (that one entity is dissolved or both joined), but we are having discussions and we want to ensure that all our parties are comfortable and satisfied when the decisions are made. So for the start of the new season, we want everything in place. We have some timeliness that have been suggested by Concacaf and we want to make sure we fall in line, and there ought not to be (any resistance), as these are instructions from our parent organisation, Concacaf and we have to be respectful and fall in line,” said Ricketts.