NPL contingency rules pending
JFF to consult PFJL before coming to decision
JAMAICA FOOTBALL Federation (JFF) President Michael Ricketts says that the new rules addressing how the upcoming National Premier League season will end in the event of a stoppage will be finalised when approval has been given to start the league.
The 2020-21 campaign has been delayed because the JFF has not received the “no objection” document from the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) to the revised health protocols. The MOHW asked the JFF to clarify specifics in its plan for the protocols for the proposed central locations.
To avoid another abrupt end to the upcoming campaign as experienced earlier this year because of COVID-19, the JFF says that a new framework would be instituted and decided on before the restart.
However, Ricketts says that the finalisation of such a framework will depend not only on when the JFF gets approval from the MOHW, but also on consultation with Professional Football Jamaica Limited (PFJL), the new body responsible for league operations.
“That has not yet been decided,” Ricketts told The Gleaner. “Certainly, we’ll have to meet the new body, which is now led by Chris Williams, that has replaced the Premier League Club’s Association. So as soon as we get that no-objection document, then we will meet with them and make a determination.”
When contacted, Williams said that they would be guided by the JFF as it has responsibility for the competition aspect of the league while the PFJL is solely concerned with the marketing and sponsorship.
PROPOSED EPL FORMAT
The Premier League in England is faced with similar challenges, and while no measures have been announced in the event of another COVID-19 related stoppage in play, a proposal was made that the results be accepted as final if 50 per cent of the fixtures have been played and it is no longer possible to finish the campaign.
Tivoli Gardens head coach Philip Williams supports a similar framework, which he says will help to avoid another abrupt decision.
“I think it’s a plus for them in terms of getting something like that [so] we know from the onset before even the season starts that if there is an interruption anywhere, once you have gone over midway through the season, this is how we are going to go about it [in] finalising who are the champions,” he said.
The condensed season will only consist of two rounds before the playoffs, and while the new start date has not been determined, the season is scheduled to finish by the end of June.