Monday night fixture dilemma

With teams seeking to take every possible advantage they can get heading into the final five matches of the preliminary round of the Jamaica Premier League (JPL), the Professional Football Jamaica Limited (PFJL) is finding it difficult to get teams to give up their home advantage for Monday night games.

Only one game will be played on Monday. Arnett Gardens against Lime Hall at the Anthony Spaulding Complex. All the other six games will be played tomorrow.

It is the second time this season that teams have declined to play on a Monday night.

Earlier in January, Arnett Gardens refused to travel to the Montego Bay Sports Complex in St James for their game against Molynes United for financial reasons and the fact that it was their home fixture, and they would be giving up that advantage.

They played the game on the same Monday night at the Anthony Spaulding Complex but the match was not televised.

Montego Bay and Waterhouse contested the only televised Monday night game in Montego Bay. Monday night doubleheaders are usually televised.

Chief executive officer of the PFJL, Owen Hill, said although the latest approach from the clubs will adversely impact the JPL product, he said it’s a reality they must face and that they are working to have it resolved.

“The reality is none of the teams want to play on a Monday. Portmore United are not playing, Montego Bay United are not playing. Everybody wants home advantage now, according to them,” he revealed.

“Obviously it will impact the product because what you are doing is deviating from the norm. But as best as possible we will have to figure it out,” he said.

“The teams are the lifeblood of the league, and this is a reality we have to deal with.”

He added that the aim of the PFJL is to have all games televised eventually, but noted that their only hindrance at this point is the lack of proper infrastructure at some facilities.

“We need to broadcast all the games. That is a discussion we consistently have. So it is important.

“We really tried (to have two games on Monday). But if we had consistent coverage across all venues then there wouldn’t be this challenge,” he stated.

Monday night doubleheaders are traditionally the premier televised JPL games each week.

However, with a lot on the line at this stage of the season, the teams are now prepared to give up Monday night matches and defend their right to play at home.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com