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<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><SPAN class=TopStory>Arnett suspend Wilson, Blackburn</SPAN>
<SPAN class=Subheadline></SPAN></TD></TR><TR><TD>BY KAYON RAYNOR Observer staff reporter raynork@jamaicaobserver.com
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
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<P class=StoryText align=justify>DISCARDED national representative Kevin 'Pele' Wilson and his strike partner Marcelino Blackburn, were yesterday suspended by former two-time Wray & Nephew National Premier League (NPL) champions Arnett Gardens for the remainder of the season without pay.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Thirty-year-old Wilson, who helped Arnett to win back-to-back NPL titles in the 2000-'01 and 2001-'02 seasons, along with Blackburn, who has scored six goals this season, were banned for disciplinary reasons.<P class=StoryText align=justify>According to a highly-placed Observer source, eight members of Arnett's Disciplinary Committee came to the decision to suspend the players on Sunday night following the team's 1-0 win over second end-of-round champions Reno FC at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Information reaching this newspaper is that Wilson and Blackburn allegedly verbally abused head coach Glendon 'Admiral' Bailey and other members of the Arnett Gardens executive after they were not selected in the final squad for Sunday's game.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Copies of the players' suspension letters obtained by the Observer dated March 19, 2007, and signed by Arnett Gardens president Patrick Roberts, confirmed the incident.
"As a result of your omission from the squad (March 18 versus Reno), you proceeded to use expletives to the head coach and other executive body (members). You further added to an already tense situation by trying to influence other members of the team not to take part in the fixture," the letters read.
"You also left the compound with a number of the team gear, which is a criminal offence under the Larceny Act," Wilson's letter noted.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Wilson, who made his international debut for Jamaica in 1995 against Norway, has also played two seasons with USL First Division team Montreal Impact in 1998 and 2005.<P class=StoryText align=justify>His suspension letter further stated: "We thought that your action was not only disrespectful, but also unwarranted and unacceptable. It is my duty to inform you that you are here by suspended without pay for the remainder of the regular season," the letter signed by Roberts noted.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Further, the punishment under the players' suspension includes a ban from training with the team, as well as being in the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex during the team's training sessions.<P class=StoryText align=justify>"You are a valued member of the team and as such are governed by the rules of this distinguished club. We will also make reference to the Jamaica Football Federation's Disciplinary Committee for further measures."
Arnett Gardens are currently lying sixth in the 12-team points standings with 33 points - 20 behind leaders Harbour View on 53 from 24 games.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Blackburn, who started his career with Arnett Gardens, had a stint with Harbour View before returning to the Trench Town-based club this season.
<SPAN class=Subheadline></SPAN></TD></TR><TR><TD>BY KAYON RAYNOR Observer staff reporter raynork@jamaicaobserver.com
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<P class=StoryText align=justify>DISCARDED national representative Kevin 'Pele' Wilson and his strike partner Marcelino Blackburn, were yesterday suspended by former two-time Wray & Nephew National Premier League (NPL) champions Arnett Gardens for the remainder of the season without pay.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Thirty-year-old Wilson, who helped Arnett to win back-to-back NPL titles in the 2000-'01 and 2001-'02 seasons, along with Blackburn, who has scored six goals this season, were banned for disciplinary reasons.<P class=StoryText align=justify>According to a highly-placed Observer source, eight members of Arnett's Disciplinary Committee came to the decision to suspend the players on Sunday night following the team's 1-0 win over second end-of-round champions Reno FC at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Information reaching this newspaper is that Wilson and Blackburn allegedly verbally abused head coach Glendon 'Admiral' Bailey and other members of the Arnett Gardens executive after they were not selected in the final squad for Sunday's game.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Copies of the players' suspension letters obtained by the Observer dated March 19, 2007, and signed by Arnett Gardens president Patrick Roberts, confirmed the incident.
"As a result of your omission from the squad (March 18 versus Reno), you proceeded to use expletives to the head coach and other executive body (members). You further added to an already tense situation by trying to influence other members of the team not to take part in the fixture," the letters read.
"You also left the compound with a number of the team gear, which is a criminal offence under the Larceny Act," Wilson's letter noted.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Wilson, who made his international debut for Jamaica in 1995 against Norway, has also played two seasons with USL First Division team Montreal Impact in 1998 and 2005.<P class=StoryText align=justify>His suspension letter further stated: "We thought that your action was not only disrespectful, but also unwarranted and unacceptable. It is my duty to inform you that you are here by suspended without pay for the remainder of the regular season," the letter signed by Roberts noted.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Further, the punishment under the players' suspension includes a ban from training with the team, as well as being in the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex during the team's training sessions.<P class=StoryText align=justify>"You are a valued member of the team and as such are governed by the rules of this distinguished club. We will also make reference to the Jamaica Football Federation's Disciplinary Committee for further measures."
Arnett Gardens are currently lying sixth in the 12-team points standings with 33 points - 20 behind leaders Harbour View on 53 from 24 games.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Blackburn, who started his career with Arnett Gardens, had a stint with Harbour View before returning to the Trench Town-based club this season.