The Jamaica Football Federation has lauded the late Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, who died on Monday night in the United States from an undisclosed illness.
Stewart, the founder of Sandals Resorts and the ATL Group of Companies, supported several sports in Jamaica and the Caribbean. Jamaica’s football was among the many beneficiaries with sponsorship that helped to get the Reggae Boyz to the 1998 World Cup in France.
It was the first and only time that Jamaica had qualified for the FIFA World Cup. The support has not been forgotten.
“The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) salutes the late Honourable Gordon “Butch” Stewart. Mr Stewart was a sports fan at heart. The affable and benevolent Jamaican entrepreneur was a friend and benefactor of numerous sporting organizations, locally and internationally. A great number of these organizations have been beneficiaries of his largesse,” the JFF said in a statement this evening.
“He contributed significantly to football at all levels. The parishes would have benefited at the grassroots level, while he made his mark at the club level even with Sandals South Coast FC.
“However, his generosity and influence were most felt in the sponsorship of the Reggae Boyz on the “Journey to France 1998,” through reduced rates on Air Jamaica. Jamaica’s team would have found it extremely challenging, if not impossible, to qualify for that historic World Cup finals without those kind flight arrangements. His patriotism and visionary spirit made him understand what qualification to the global showpiece meant for Jamaica. Fortunately, the Boyz obliged.”
The President of the JFF, Mr Michael Ricketts, conveys sincerest condolences to his family, close friends, business colleagues, the Sandals Group, the ATL Group and the Jamaica Observer family, the statement said.
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Nashville SC v San Jose Earthquakes: ‘A win would change everything’ - Godoy
Anibal Godoy insists that Nashville are already looking at their game against San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday as a must-win.
Nashville have won just once in the MLS this season and sit in 14th place in the Eastern Conference after a run of four without a win.
The Earthquakes, meanwhile, are bottom of the Western Conference having lost eight of their matches and recording just one win.
Godoy is aware of how their poor start to the season could affect their playoff hopes later down the line but is confident that Nashville can turn things around.
He said: “For us, it's an important week. It's a day we have to win, or we'll start to feel the pressure from other teams as they start to separate in the table.
“This league is long but if we want to get to the playoff you have to win games early on, especially at home.”
Liverpool agree compensation deal for Slot
Liverpool and Feyenoord have reached an agreement in principle over a compensation deal for Arne Slot to become the Reds’ manager next season, according to widespread Dutch media reports.
The Dutchman is reportedly poised to take over from Jurgen Klopp, who announced in January that he would be leaving the club at the end of the campaign.
Slot led Feyenoord to their second Eredivisie title last season after taking over the club in 2021.
It is believed that he topped the list of Liverpool’s favoured candidates due to his attacking playing style and ability to develop players.
Former Liverpool midfielder, Xabi Alonso, who led Bayer Leverkusen to their first Bundesliga title, and Sporting CP’s Ruben Amorim were also reported contenders to take over from Klopp.
Slot had already confirmed his interest in managing in the Premier League, both earlier this week and previously when he was linked to Tottenham in 2023.
QPR 4-0 Leeds United: Shock loss for Farke's men seals Leicester's promotion
QPR thrashed Leeds United 4-0 in the Championship on Friday, ensuring Leicester City booked their promotion straight back to the Premier League.
Ilias Chair was the star for the Hoops as he scored the opener and assisted two more goals to ensure QPR will stay in the Championship for another season.
Lucas Andersen, Lyndon Dykes and Sam Field also got their names on the scoresheet in an emphatic win for Marti Cifuentes' side.
Leeds' heaviest defeat of the season was a huge blow in the race for an automatic promotion spot, with Ipswich Town just one point behind them in third place with two games in hand going into their away clash against Hull City on Saturday.
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