UNCERTAINTY
JFF looking to provide assistance
WITH SEVERAL players from Red Stripe Premier League clubs now being unemployed due to the disruption of the football season due to the local coronavirus outbreak, there are increasing calls for greater assistance for those most affected by the situation.
A number of players have expressed concerns about their well-being after losing, what is for some, their only source of income after the Jamaica Football Federation’s (JFF) decision to call a halt to plans to resume the league and the playing of the sport before the end of the year.
Waterhouse Football Club player Andre Leslie, who told that he depended on the club for his approximately $60,000 monthly salary, is one of the many players who are now unemployed and are finding it difficult to survive.
“It’s kind of rough right now because I am unemployed. I’m home not doing anything. I just have to work with what I have,” Leslie said.
He said he has been surviving from his savings and the help of his mother, noting that he has not received any financial assistance from his club or the JFF.
Leslie said since the league will restart in 2021 instead of an earlier proposed date in October 2020, he now has no choice but to seek employment.
Humble Lion Football Club’s coach Andrew Price said all the players from the club are now unemployed and are facing similar financial challenges as they are finding it difficult to provide for themselves and their families.
“Their (players) dependants are also dependent on their salaries to help fill the void in the household, and a lot of them are unable to do that right now,” Price said.
MONTHLY STIPENDS
He said that the club has been helping the players by offering them monthly stipends despite the lack of sponsorship and aid from the JFF.
On the other hand, Managing Director of Mount Pleasant Football Academy David Gallaway said that his players are not facing such issues because they are still employed and have been receiving pay according to their contracts.
JFF General Security Dalton Wint said the federation has plans to offer help to the affected players.
“It is not the responsibility of the JFF to take care of these players. That responsibility is with the clubs. However, due to the difficult times the clubs are facing, we will be offering them some assistance in the near future,” Wint said.