The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), in effort to ease the financial pressure facing clubs in the Red Stripe Premier League, has decided to forego payments due from clubs on office rental, utilities, registration fees, contract administrative fees as well as home match levies, yellow and red card fees for the 2019-2020 season.
The move will provide relief in excess of JMD$6million for the Premier League Clubs Association (PLCA) and consequently, the clubs that have been unable to meet their obligations to their players, technical and administrative staff.
The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) said it recognizes the Red Stripe Premier League as the only professional arm of the sport of football in Jamaica. The JFF is also cognizant of the tremendous economic fallout being experienced by leagues and clubs around the world during the current global pandemic.
JFF President Michael Ricketts revealed the decision to the Chairman of the PLCA, the Hon. Mike Henry in a letter dated April 8, 2020.
"The JFF is cognizant of the economic pressures on our football stakeholders including our parish associations and the 12 clubs competing in our top league which can be considered as professional since more than 95 per cent of the players and coaches are contracted,” the president’s letter said.
“It is our hope that by the JFF foregoing on the above entitlements, the clubs will have a little more oxygen with cash flow in order to meet budgetary obligations,” the JFF’s letter said.
The JFF said that the meantime, they all continue to monitor and evaluate the situation in the country and outside Jamaica’s borders in order to determine a restart to normal football activities. “We intend to have dialogue on an ongoing basis with all stakeholders so that synchronization takes place as it relates to the domestic football calendar and a smooth transition towards normalcy.
“These unprecedented times require that we work closely together in the interest of football, the League, the Clubs, players, staff and the many persons that benefit from the beautiful game in Jamaica. I look forward to our discussions,” the JFF president said.