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<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><SPAN class=TopStory>FIFA needs to probe this CFU decision</SPAN>
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Friday, August 25, 2006
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<P class=StoryText align=justify>We guess we should be flattered that Jamaica's Under-17 football team has been pulled from the group of Caribbean teams vying for the Caribbean Youth Cup and placed in a group with tougher teams that are really guests in the competition.<P class=StoryText align=justify>However, we have a nagging feeling that the sudden decision taken by the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) late last Saturday was made with less than honourable intentions in Jamaica's favour.<P class=StoryText align=justify>The CFU, we are told, revised the format of the competition in order to determine the two Caribbean teams that will go through to the CONCACAF final qualifying round for the FIFA World Under-17 Championship.<P class=StoryText align=justify>The result of this sudden decision was that Jamaica was placed in a group with Canada; Panama, the CONCACAF champions; and Mexico, the current world champions, while the other qualifiers - Barbados, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, and Suriname - were placed in Group A to participate in a league playoff.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Since the change was reported by the Daily Observer on Monday this week, discussion on the issue has been vigorous and has apparently upset CFU officials to the point where the organisation has issued a statement claiming that the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) had agreed to the revised format.<P class=StoryText align=justify>The full text of that CFU statement is published in the sports section of today's edition. But while it makes the case that the JFF had accepted the change, it does not give a reason or reasons for the decision.<P class=StoryText align=justify>The impression that is now being portrayed by the CFU, by way of this statement, is that Jamaica should be grateful because the JFF president, Mr Crenston Boxhill, and the Jamaica coach, Mr David Hunt, are happy because the experience of playing top-flight teams like Mexico and Panama will give the young Reggae Boyz invaluable experience as they prepare for the Under-17 World Cup.<P class=StoryText align=justify>But while Messrs Hunt and Boxhill may indeed be happy, we are puzzled by this special treatment being given to Jamaica.
Why should we be shown any favours above the other Caribbean teams in the competition, and what, if anything, is being expected of us in return?<P class=StoryText align=justify>The issue also raises the question of transparency in the operations of the CFU. For we fail to see how a change can be made to an international competition sanctioned by FIFA - world football's governing body - after that competition has started.<P class=StoryText align=justify>FIFA, we believe, should order an independent probe of this matter. For it does not speak well of the sport if rules can be changed at the whim of individuals.<P class=StoryText align=justify>It also acts counter to the fundamental benefits of sports - moulding human character, fostering friendships between nations and promoting fair play.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=450 align=left border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><SPAN class=TopStory>FIFA needs to probe this CFU decision</SPAN><SPAN class=Subheadline></SPAN></TD></TR><TR><TD>
Friday, August 25, 2006
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<P class=StoryText align=justify>We guess we should be flattered that Jamaica's Under-17 football team has been pulled from the group of Caribbean teams vying for the Caribbean Youth Cup and placed in a group with tougher teams that are really guests in the competition.<P class=StoryText align=justify>However, we have a nagging feeling that the sudden decision taken by the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) late last Saturday was made with less than honourable intentions in Jamaica's favour.<P class=StoryText align=justify>The CFU, we are told, revised the format of the competition in order to determine the two Caribbean teams that will go through to the CONCACAF final qualifying round for the FIFA World Under-17 Championship.<P class=StoryText align=justify>The result of this sudden decision was that Jamaica was placed in a group with Canada; Panama, the CONCACAF champions; and Mexico, the current world champions, while the other qualifiers - Barbados, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, and Suriname - were placed in Group A to participate in a league playoff.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Since the change was reported by the Daily Observer on Monday this week, discussion on the issue has been vigorous and has apparently upset CFU officials to the point where the organisation has issued a statement claiming that the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) had agreed to the revised format.<P class=StoryText align=justify>The full text of that CFU statement is published in the sports section of today's edition. But while it makes the case that the JFF had accepted the change, it does not give a reason or reasons for the decision.<P class=StoryText align=justify>The impression that is now being portrayed by the CFU, by way of this statement, is that Jamaica should be grateful because the JFF president, Mr Crenston Boxhill, and the Jamaica coach, Mr David Hunt, are happy because the experience of playing top-flight teams like Mexico and Panama will give the young Reggae Boyz invaluable experience as they prepare for the Under-17 World Cup.<P class=StoryText align=justify>But while Messrs Hunt and Boxhill may indeed be happy, we are puzzled by this special treatment being given to Jamaica.
Why should we be shown any favours above the other Caribbean teams in the competition, and what, if anything, is being expected of us in return?<P class=StoryText align=justify>The issue also raises the question of transparency in the operations of the CFU. For we fail to see how a change can be made to an international competition sanctioned by FIFA - world football's governing body - after that competition has started.<P class=StoryText align=justify>FIFA, we believe, should order an independent probe of this matter. For it does not speak well of the sport if rules can be changed at the whim of individuals.<P class=StoryText align=justify>It also acts counter to the fundamental benefits of sports - moulding human character, fostering friendships between nations and promoting fair play.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>