Adrian Frater, News Editor
Western Bureau:

When I first heard the news late Monday afternoon that Montego Bay United Football Club (MBUFC) had backtracked on an earlier position to not start their 2014 Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) campaign unless irregularities within the Premier League Clubs Association (PLCA) were sorted out, I was both angry and disappointed.

My feelings were based on the fact that I felt MBUFC had a genuine grouse, which they should not have relented to, on a matter of principle. In fact, being willing to step back could be tantamount to opening the door to future abuses of power by a PLCA, which is clearly lacking in principles and probity.

However, based on subsequent investigations, it would appear that MBUFC did not capitulate because they lack the gumption to fight on, but faced with a lack of support from the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), which is seemingly too timid to stand up in their defence, had no choice but to make the tactical retreat, which they did.

I cannot blame the PLCA for having a strong and decisive leader in former Prime Minister Edward Seaga, but I can't say the same for the JFF, which has been flimsy in the defence of an affiliate, who has decided to take a principled stance in regard to protecting an abuse of its rights by the PLCA.

proper stewardship

As the parent body for national football, the JFF should be taking the lead in ensuring that the PLCA address the issues of governance, accountability, and the others, which should have been dealt with prior to the start of the 2014-15 RSPL season.

However, instead of standing up with MBUFC and the other three clubs, who were calling out for proper stewardship by the PLCA, the JFF took a meek approach, encouraging the teams to relinquish their principled position for the so-called good of the game, which possibly includes fooling the sponsors into believing that all is well.

While I am sure the sponsors would want to see a smooth flowing competition, I am sure that as a successful business entity, Red Stripe would have developed an appreciation for the fact that good order and accountability, which is basically what MBUFC has been asking for, are key components in the search for success.

Surely, if the JFF was standing up to its responsibility of defending the interest of the aggrieved clubs against what is clearly an errant PLCA, Seaga would not have felt he was on firm ground in declaring the federation was seeking to destabilise the organisation (PLCA) in an effort to reclaim administration of the island's top football league.

The truth is that the JFF through lack of quality leadership, has allowed itself to fall into a situation of the proverbial tail wagging the dog as it has seemingly being relegated to a boss who wants to call the shots, but lacks the ambition to wage a serious fight without being exposed to serious retribution.

awaiting leadership

In light of the current situation between the PLCA and MBUFC, it is clear that the JFF is all bark and no bite and therefore unfit to be called the parent body for national football. In fact, I think the many parish associations, who are standing by awaiting leadership from the JFF to start moving their football, should begin thinking about looking for transformational leadership elsewhere.

As things are, my sympathy is with the aggrieved clubs, who, having made such serious investment into the development of their various football programmes, are now being undermined by an arrogant PLCA, which is fast becoming a kind of dictatorship, and a JFF, which is too spineless to put an end to what is an intolerable situation.

Feel free to send your feedback to adrianfrater@hotmail.com.