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JFF board takes decision on Bora - Burrell to make details public after speaking with coach
By Keisha Hill, Staff Reporter
Captain Horace Burrell gestures while making a point during yesterday's press conference at the JFF headquarters in New Kingston. - Peta-Gaye Clachar
The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) administration appears set to terminate the contract of technical director, Velibor 'Bora' Milutinovic, thus paving the way for the possible return of former Brazilian technical director, René Simoes.
Although tight-lipped on the future of Milutinovic, new president, Captain Horace Burrell, stated during a press conference yesterday, at the JFF headquarters, that the new board had, on two occasions, taken a unanimous decision on the issue regarding the technical director, details of which he said would not be disclosed until he had met with Milutinovic.
Milutinovic, who took up the position less than a year ago, was apparently called in to revive what was left of the struggling Jamaican football programme. Under his direction, the Jamaican national team further sunk to an all-time low, ranking 103rd in the FIFA rankings.
Notwithstanding, the JFF is also faced with several "precarious" situations, according to Captain Burrell.
Treasurer Gary Sinclair revealed that the JFF is currently in arrears of over $77.5 million.
"The situation is simply frightening," said Burrell. "The entire country was led to believe that the JFF was making a profit when in fact there is absolutely no money in the coffers."
According to the preliminary financial report presented, the JFF's bank balance to date reflects a negative (-) $7.4 million, including negative (-) $1.3 million owed in salary to 21 JFF staff members, liabilities and cheques drawn and not issued. The organisation's receivable account was also adjusted from $45.9 million to reflect unreconciled balances of $27.7 million. This $27.7 million includes money not collected from the Asian tour that Sinclair said might not be possible to collect.
Technical director Velibor 'Bora' Milutinovic videotaping a match at the National Stadium last year. - Ricardo Makyn
The JFF still owes technical director Milutinovic $23.9 million or US$338,000, which is due on November 15. Money totaling US$250,000 that was pledged from one of the JFF partners, will be paid forthwith, according to Sinclair. A further US$62,500 that was paid over to the federation was not made available to him, and the current administration is having difficulty pin-pointing where the money is. The remaining US$88,000 received from other partners has yet to be paid over to Milutinovic.
Situation worsened
The situation is further worsened as the English Football Association is yet to be paid $22.5 million or £153,000 for tickets sold by the JFF matches played against Ghana and England last year. This money has been owed for close to one year by the JFF and continues to appreciate in value until paid. Burrell is yet to be paid $15 million owed to him by the JFF from his previous administration. Statutory deductions are a whopping $16.4 million, including $9 million for P.A.Y.E. The amount owed to parish associations and Premier League clubs, plus other expenses, amounts to $13.2 million.
"We are in a serious financial crisis. We will be conducting serious negotiations and meetings to arrest the problem and move forward," said Leighton McKnight, head of the JFF's financial committee.
"The English F.A. has taken into serious consideration us not honouring obligations. The financial situation is not expected to get better as liabilities continue to increase. We have to find ways and means of coming out of a very deep hole."
As a result of the sorry state of the JFF financial affairs, the training camps for the Under-17 and senior women's football teams have been called off. The Under-17 team is scheduled to depart the island for Antigua and Barbuda on November 19, and the senior team to Cuba on November 22. According to Lorraine Scringer, executive officer of the JFF, the teams will need a combined total of $4 million to be able to compete at these events.
Captain Burrell stated that he would seek funding for the team to meet these obligations, but the training sessions were definitely cancelled.
The sad state of affairs continued to unravel as it was stated that the national programme was without an equipment sponsor. The contract between Uhlport and the JFF expired in December 2006, and although in a six-month extension, to date, the team is still without a sponsor.
Captain Burrell, who will be leaving the island shortly for South Africa, where he is heading a World Cup committee, stated that he would, "attempt to negotiate a new deal, which may prove difficult, as the current state of affairs will affect negotiations and the JFF will not be able to make any demands".
General Secretary Horace Reid has been given the mandate to meet with the executive of the Premier League Clubs Association today at 10 a.m., to iron out differences and make the requisite recommendations. Depending on the outcome of this meeting, the National Premier League may resume this Sunday.
Despite the gloom hanging over the JFF, Burrell, is optimistic that his administration will turn the current crisis around in the shortest possible time.
"We will be speaking with the Government for serious financial help. There are already sponsors committed to seeing Jamaica's football regain its international dominance," he said.
He also confirmed that the Reggae Boyz will host Guatemala in a friendly on Wednesday, November 21. All oversees players and clubs will be contacted and "every player must be available for the competition", Burrell said.
Negotiations are also under way to host El Salvador on November 18, at the National Stadium.
The JFF has also been given an extension date of November 19 to make full payment on the US$12,300 owed to the Caribbean Football Union for the JFF's withdrawal from the Under-15 tournament this year.
There is also good news for Marlon King, who was banned for two years by the former JFF administration. According to Dale Spencer, first vice-president, the new JFF board felt that sufficient punishment had been served and he should be granted a reprieve. King is now eligible to compete in all local and international tournaments.
René Simoes
By Keisha Hill, Staff Reporter
Captain Horace Burrell gestures while making a point during yesterday's press conference at the JFF headquarters in New Kingston. - Peta-Gaye Clachar
The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) administration appears set to terminate the contract of technical director, Velibor 'Bora' Milutinovic, thus paving the way for the possible return of former Brazilian technical director, René Simoes.
Although tight-lipped on the future of Milutinovic, new president, Captain Horace Burrell, stated during a press conference yesterday, at the JFF headquarters, that the new board had, on two occasions, taken a unanimous decision on the issue regarding the technical director, details of which he said would not be disclosed until he had met with Milutinovic.
Milutinovic, who took up the position less than a year ago, was apparently called in to revive what was left of the struggling Jamaican football programme. Under his direction, the Jamaican national team further sunk to an all-time low, ranking 103rd in the FIFA rankings.
Notwithstanding, the JFF is also faced with several "precarious" situations, according to Captain Burrell.
Treasurer Gary Sinclair revealed that the JFF is currently in arrears of over $77.5 million.
"The situation is simply frightening," said Burrell. "The entire country was led to believe that the JFF was making a profit when in fact there is absolutely no money in the coffers."
According to the preliminary financial report presented, the JFF's bank balance to date reflects a negative (-) $7.4 million, including negative (-) $1.3 million owed in salary to 21 JFF staff members, liabilities and cheques drawn and not issued. The organisation's receivable account was also adjusted from $45.9 million to reflect unreconciled balances of $27.7 million. This $27.7 million includes money not collected from the Asian tour that Sinclair said might not be possible to collect.
Technical director Velibor 'Bora' Milutinovic videotaping a match at the National Stadium last year. - Ricardo Makyn
The JFF still owes technical director Milutinovic $23.9 million or US$338,000, which is due on November 15. Money totaling US$250,000 that was pledged from one of the JFF partners, will be paid forthwith, according to Sinclair. A further US$62,500 that was paid over to the federation was not made available to him, and the current administration is having difficulty pin-pointing where the money is. The remaining US$88,000 received from other partners has yet to be paid over to Milutinovic.
Situation worsened
The situation is further worsened as the English Football Association is yet to be paid $22.5 million or £153,000 for tickets sold by the JFF matches played against Ghana and England last year. This money has been owed for close to one year by the JFF and continues to appreciate in value until paid. Burrell is yet to be paid $15 million owed to him by the JFF from his previous administration. Statutory deductions are a whopping $16.4 million, including $9 million for P.A.Y.E. The amount owed to parish associations and Premier League clubs, plus other expenses, amounts to $13.2 million.
"We are in a serious financial crisis. We will be conducting serious negotiations and meetings to arrest the problem and move forward," said Leighton McKnight, head of the JFF's financial committee.
"The English F.A. has taken into serious consideration us not honouring obligations. The financial situation is not expected to get better as liabilities continue to increase. We have to find ways and means of coming out of a very deep hole."
As a result of the sorry state of the JFF financial affairs, the training camps for the Under-17 and senior women's football teams have been called off. The Under-17 team is scheduled to depart the island for Antigua and Barbuda on November 19, and the senior team to Cuba on November 22. According to Lorraine Scringer, executive officer of the JFF, the teams will need a combined total of $4 million to be able to compete at these events.
Captain Burrell stated that he would seek funding for the team to meet these obligations, but the training sessions were definitely cancelled.
The sad state of affairs continued to unravel as it was stated that the national programme was without an equipment sponsor. The contract between Uhlport and the JFF expired in December 2006, and although in a six-month extension, to date, the team is still without a sponsor.
Captain Burrell, who will be leaving the island shortly for South Africa, where he is heading a World Cup committee, stated that he would, "attempt to negotiate a new deal, which may prove difficult, as the current state of affairs will affect negotiations and the JFF will not be able to make any demands".
General Secretary Horace Reid has been given the mandate to meet with the executive of the Premier League Clubs Association today at 10 a.m., to iron out differences and make the requisite recommendations. Depending on the outcome of this meeting, the National Premier League may resume this Sunday.
Despite the gloom hanging over the JFF, Burrell, is optimistic that his administration will turn the current crisis around in the shortest possible time.
"We will be speaking with the Government for serious financial help. There are already sponsors committed to seeing Jamaica's football regain its international dominance," he said.
He also confirmed that the Reggae Boyz will host Guatemala in a friendly on Wednesday, November 21. All oversees players and clubs will be contacted and "every player must be available for the competition", Burrell said.
Negotiations are also under way to host El Salvador on November 18, at the National Stadium.
The JFF has also been given an extension date of November 19 to make full payment on the US$12,300 owed to the Caribbean Football Union for the JFF's withdrawal from the Under-15 tournament this year.
There is also good news for Marlon King, who was banned for two years by the former JFF administration. According to Dale Spencer, first vice-president, the new JFF board felt that sufficient punishment had been served and he should be granted a reprieve. King is now eligible to compete in all local and international tournaments.
René Simoes
Not true! In August, I made a post with the following information:
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