1 year ago
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PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL Jamaica Limited (PFJL) CEO, Owen Hill, said referees were paid all monies owed to them yesterday, and that match officials will once again make their services available for the Jamaica Premier League (JPL), which resumes this afternoon with one game.
Referees withdrew their services after complaining that they had not been paid since November, and were owed close to $8 million.
President of the Jamaica Referees Association, Valdin Legister, said his members had not been paid for rounds 16 to 26 and have had to dip into their own pockets to subsidise the league.
He also declared that they would not return to the field until they were paid all that was due to them.
Those comments came after it was revealed there was an offer of a $2 million payment on Monday that was rejected.
When contacted yesterday, Hill revealed that the full complement of what was owed had been paid.
“Payments were made. Full payments,” he declared.
He noted that measures have also been put in place to avoid future occurrences.
“A strategy will be employed going forward. We hope there’s not a future recurrence and so strategies will be put in place with dialogue between ourselves and all parties involved and we hope that those agreements will be adhered to as we go forward,” he said
“We will make sure we stick to the competition’s calendar. Game schedules will have to be adhered to and will require a collaborative effort on all parts and we hope to see out the rest of season in a very smooth way.”
Legister said referees were happy with the outcome and were ready to go again.
“The association and all its members are thrilled with the resolution reached during the past 48 hours, and are fully prepared to officiate matches,” read comments in a press release.
President of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) Michael Ricketts also chimed in, saying his organisation remains dedicated to upholding fairness and balance in the sport.
“We are excited to witness the return of matches in the fiercely contested Jamaica Premier League and urge fans to show their unwavering support,” he commented.
PFJL Chairman Chris Williams offered sincere apologies for the league’s interruption.
“The Jamaica Premier League is the heartbeat of football in our country, impacting countless lives and livelihoods.
“We extend our sincere apologies to the fans and all those affected by the postponements last match weekend. Rest assured, we are committed to ensuring such interruptions do not reoccur,” he stated.
In the lone game this afternoon at the Anthony Spaulding Complex, 11th-place Molynes United take on second-from-bottom Vere United at 3:30.
English (US) ·