Leon Bailey of Jamaica controls the ball during a stoppage in play in the second half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinal match against Guatemala at TQL Stadium on July 09, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jeff Dean/Getty Images)
Jamaica’s preparations for the Copa America got off to a farcical start after winger, Leon Bailey, ruled himself out of participation at the tournament, minutes after being named in the Reggae Boyz squad.
William Mitchell reports.
The Jamaica Football Federation planned a glitzy televised special to reveal their 26-man Copa America squad.
While Jamaica was beating the Dominican Republic and Dominica in World Cup qualifying, Leon Bailey was a spectator in the National Stadium, before heading to the US to continue his vacation.
So, eyebrows were raised when Bailey was named as a surprise Copa America inclusion.
The surprise quickly turned to confusion when Bailey took to social media with a cryptic two word post: “Misleading information…”
In a follow-up post on his own social media page, Bailey’s manager, Craig Butler, confirmed the player’s u-turn.
Butler said Bailey’s stance on not playing for the Reggae Boyz for the foreseeable future remains the same. Butler says the 26-year-old winger is focused on his mental health and spending time with his family.
Bailey had ruled himself out of Reggae Boyz contention after he was suspended by head coach Heimir Hallgrimmson for breaking curfew following a Nations League clash against Canada last November.
However, sources indicate Butler and representatives of the JFF had agreed for the winger to join the rest of the squad on June 21.
Jamaica kick off their competition against Mexico on June 22.
Butler also represents Dujuan ‘Whishper’ Richards. It’s understood Butler is less than impressed with rumblings the 19-year-old is injured. Richards has been left out of the Copa America squad after going to last summer’s Gold Cup with the Reggae Boyz.
The rest of the Reggae Boyz will fly to Houston on Sunday to begin preparations for the Copa America.
Ecuador and Venezuela are also in Jamaica’s group.
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