Nelson (centre) died after a short battle with cancer.
Reggae Girlz team manager Jean Nelson has died after a short illness, the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) announced on Sunday. Nelson, who was the first official president of the Jamaica Women’s Football Association passed away on Saturday.
Nelson, a former player, was a stalwart and a giant in her support of women’s football. Her love for the game, even in its infancy, led her to drive relentlessly for its organization and development locally. She was one of the driving forces who started the first women’s football league circa 1990, the JFF said.
Nelson was the manager of the senior women’s team, the Reggae Girlz, for many years and managed Jamaica’s first and only team to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in France in 2019.
“Usually when the anthem plays, I close my eyes because it's so deep so I expect it to be very touching. I have always wanted to serve my country; it's fulfilling, it's an honour,” Nelson said then.
“The Jamaica Football Federation sends sincere condolences to her family and friends and especially the Reggae Girlz who have lost a matriarch. May her soul rest in eternal peace,” the JFF’s statement concluded.
Meanwhile, the Kingston and St Andrew Football Association (KSAFA) also expressed grief at Nelson's passing.
"As the first official President of the Jamaica Women's Football Association and the Manager of the National Senior Women's Football team, Jean was loved by many and displayed her passion and love for the game of football through her years of service to the sport," KSAFA said in a statement released Sunday.
"Jean was a close personal friend and former co-worker and we both shared the love for the beautiful game of football," said KSAFA President Wayne Shaw.
"It was her passion. She has served the country with distinction and she will be greatly missed. Condolences to her daughter Renee and family members and the football fraternity."
Our thoughts and prayers go out to her loved ones and we honour her legacy. May her soul rest in eternal peace, the KSAFA statement said.
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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