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Burrell rejects Mexican sweet deal
FOR the Reggae Boyz, it's very unusual, weird, to say the least. Even laughable if you take it to the extreme. But it happened.
In what would have equated to a real 'sell-out', in the context of Jamaican parlance, a Mexican football agent has requested that Jamaica play its September 6 semi-final round CONCACAF World Cup qualifier, which is scheduled for 'The Office', not in Jamaica BUT in the United States.
Sounds ridiculous. The Captain himself, Horace Burrell, had a good laugh when asked yesterday by The Gleaner about the Mexican proposition.
Having struggled to contain himself, Burrell said, seriously: "I received inquiries from a Mexican promoter, who has expressed a deep interest in playing the Jamaica-Mexico game at a venue in the United States, and also requested of us whatever economic conditions we'd accept to move this game from Jamaica, scheduled to be played at 'The Office'.
"Needless to say I was shocked and wondered if I was hearing right, at which time, the caller advised me that they'd be willing to consider any economic conditions we choose to propose."
Capacity crowd
Burrell added: "He further reiterated that playing this Jamaica-Mexico game at any venue in the United States would attract a capacity crowd, which would result in overwhelming financial success."
The situation is not new for Mexico. In the previous round against Belize, the latter's home fixture was played at the Reliant Stadium in Houston. Mexico won 2-0, doubling their target with an injury-time goal. Mexico won the return leg 7-0 in Monterrey.
While Belize are rank minnows, the Reggae Boyz have already beaten Mexico in 'The Office', which Jamaica used as a fortress on its historic 'Road to France' campaign. And such a fixture is gigantic for Jamaicans.
"I immediately told the promoter that we have absolutely no interest in giving up our home advantage and that our home advantage was more valuable than any monetary conditions which could be offered and also to our loyal fans, who have been supporting our programme through thick and thin.
"I further indicated that playing in front of our home crowd would definitely assist in lifting the spirits of our players in the game against Mexico, thereby enhancing our chances of coming away with a victory, which is so important if we're to advance to the final phase."
Besides Jamaica and Mexico, Canada and Honduras are involved in the four-team 'Group of Death', from which two will advance to the six-team Finals.
"This group is very, very competitive," noted Burrell. "All the experts have continued to say it is likely that the two qualifiers from this group will eventually qualify for the World Cup."
Now that wouldn't be weird, unusual or laughable in the extreme.
In what would have equated to a real 'sell-out', in the context of Jamaican parlance, a Mexican football agent has requested that Jamaica play its September 6 semi-final round CONCACAF World Cup qualifier, which is scheduled for 'The Office', not in Jamaica BUT in the United States.
Sounds ridiculous. The Captain himself, Horace Burrell, had a good laugh when asked yesterday by The Gleaner about the Mexican proposition.
Having struggled to contain himself, Burrell said, seriously: "I received inquiries from a Mexican promoter, who has expressed a deep interest in playing the Jamaica-Mexico game at a venue in the United States, and also requested of us whatever economic conditions we'd accept to move this game from Jamaica, scheduled to be played at 'The Office'.
"Needless to say I was shocked and wondered if I was hearing right, at which time, the caller advised me that they'd be willing to consider any economic conditions we choose to propose."
Capacity crowd
Burrell added: "He further reiterated that playing this Jamaica-Mexico game at any venue in the United States would attract a capacity crowd, which would result in overwhelming financial success."
The situation is not new for Mexico. In the previous round against Belize, the latter's home fixture was played at the Reliant Stadium in Houston. Mexico won 2-0, doubling their target with an injury-time goal. Mexico won the return leg 7-0 in Monterrey.
While Belize are rank minnows, the Reggae Boyz have already beaten Mexico in 'The Office', which Jamaica used as a fortress on its historic 'Road to France' campaign. And such a fixture is gigantic for Jamaicans.
"I immediately told the promoter that we have absolutely no interest in giving up our home advantage and that our home advantage was more valuable than any monetary conditions which could be offered and also to our loyal fans, who have been supporting our programme through thick and thin.
"I further indicated that playing in front of our home crowd would definitely assist in lifting the spirits of our players in the game against Mexico, thereby enhancing our chances of coming away with a victory, which is so important if we're to advance to the final phase."
Besides Jamaica and Mexico, Canada and Honduras are involved in the four-team 'Group of Death', from which two will advance to the six-team Finals.
"This group is very, very competitive," noted Burrell. "All the experts have continued to say it is likely that the two qualifiers from this group will eventually qualify for the World Cup."
Now that wouldn't be weird, unusual or laughable in the extreme.
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