A crisis in football, but there could be a silver lining

Saturday, October 15, 2011

THERE can be no question that FIFA’s six-month ban (three months suspended for two years) of president of the Jamaica Football Federation Captain Horace Burrell has the potential to seriously hamstrung Jamaica’s football.

Captain Burrell’s visionary leadership in the build-up to Jamaica’s qualification for the 1998 FIFA World Cup made him a national icon and at the administrative level he has been for many years the face of the nation’s football on the global stage.

The Captain’s suspension comes as the Jamaica senior team prepares once again to challenge for a place at the World Cup Finals — this time in Brazil come 2014. His renowned capacity to market football would have been heavily relied on by the JFF to help raise the many millions that will be needed to carry the qualification programme.

Inevitably, his image will now be tarnished, somewhat, even after the suspension period ends. Indeed, Captain Burrell, a leading businessman who takes great pride in his reputation, may even be tempted to walk away from the management of Jamaica’s football.

In such circumstances, it is imperative that the football fraternity pulls together to show a united and well-organised front. In that respect we have total confidence in the JFF’s First Vice-President Mr Dale Spencer, who Captain Burrell tells us will immediately assume responsibilities as Acting President.

This newspaper has always found Mr Spencer to be a thoughtful and dignified leader and we fully expect that his guidance — for whatever length of time — will be exemplary.

As readers will have recognised, the suspension of the Captain and other punitive actions taken against several officials of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) are the latest consequences of the fall from grace of the former allpowerful Mr Jack Warner.

Until his dramatic resignation in mid-year, because of allegations of corruption, the controversial Mr Warner was president of CONCACAF and the numerically powerful CFU, as well as a vicepresident of FIFA. Captain Burrell and others at administrative level in the CFU were Mr Warner’s closest allies.

Given the nature of politics, it is easy to surmise that Captain Burrell, who is now ineligible to contest the CFU presidential election scheduled for next month here in Jamaica, is paying the price for his proximity to the fallen king.

However, we dare not forget that all of this fallout is the result of very serious allegations that some federations within the 25-member CFU received substantial “bribes” from former FIFA presidential candidate Mr Mohamed bin Hammam.

We note that in his statement yesterday, Captain Burrell in explaining his decision not to appeal the ban makes the point that: “Even if some of the sanctions are very severe, I understand that FIFA needs to put an end to individual wrongdoing and bad practice if the evidence proves that individuals have engaged in reprehensible conduct.”

Hopefully, from all of this will emerge cleaner, more accountable and trustworthy leadership in football.

POST A COMMENT

You must first register and then login to be able to post a comment.

HOUSE RULES

1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper – email addresses will not be published.

2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.

3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.

4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.

5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.

6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.

7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy, and before commenting you need to register, conveniently, by clicking the link above.

COMMENTS (2)

John Smith
10/16/2011

The Observer needs to step up with their comments section so that people can like comments. I agree with fall mouth but would have preferred to add my 'voice' to the debate by just 'liking' the comment instead of 'voicing' my support by potentially occupying one of the few spaces available for reader feedback. Time to bring it up to current standards.

fall mouth
10/15/2011

The only good thing that will come of this is that Burrell (hopefully) will exit the stage and others who are equally competent, if given the chance, will be given a chance. Too many of us believe our own hype and that of our admirers and think that we have a god-given right to certain positions in this country.
Others can market the sport just as well as he can, and perhaps better.
These guys who continue to drag down the good name of JA should leave the stage I think the other guy (his name escapes me at the moment) was doing a fine job but he was hamstrung at every level.

Do/Would you disclose details of your salary with your spouse?
	Yes
	No

View Results
Results published weekly in Sunday Finance

Username:
Password:

Water woes to affect sections of St Catherine and the Corporate Area

A crisis in football, but there could be a silver lining