Mobay face Champions League boot due to sub-par lights at Montego Bay Sports Complex

Montego Bay United are in danger of being kicked out of the 2015/16 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League due to sub-par lighting at the Montego Bay Sports Complex in Catherine Hall.

Despite hosting the Caribbean Football Union's Men's Championships in November last year, and the CONCACAF Men's Under-20 Championships earlier this year, a company engaged by CONCACAF has said the lights are in need of improvement.

CONCACAF has demanded that new lighting report should have been submitted by yesterday to determine whether the venue can be used.

"In the event that Montego Bay United FC fails to improve the lighting and reach a minimum of 800 lux throughout the field, the club runs the risk of being removed from the 2015/16 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League," the letter said.

"The light readings show that the stadium does not currently meet the minimum requirements of 800 lux throughout the field of play," Bryan McNulty, assistant director of international, sales at Musco Lighting said.

McNulty said that an inspection conducted on June 25 at the stadium found it to be generally acceptable outside light issues.

"We believe the current lighting issues can be resolved within the stated timeline by refocusing the lights, especially towards the middle of the field," said the letter emailed to Powell and copied to members of the hierachy of the Jamaica Football Federation, including president Horace Burrell.

Montego Bay Sports Complex is the property of the St James Parish Council.

Glendon Harris, mayor of Montego Bay, denied there were issues with lights at the stadium which recently hosted the Gold Cup qualifiers saying "the lights are perfect."

Montego Bay qualified for the CFU Club championships along with Waterhouse by virture of being the top two local teams in 2013/14. However, Waterhouse failed to show for the tournament.

Montego Bay advanced to the Champions League after finishing third in the championships.

Montego Bay United has been drawn in Group 'H' to contest the CONCACAF Clubs Champion's League from August 4 to October 22.

They are joined by Arabe Unido of Panama and DC United of the USA. Montego Bay will open their campaign against Arabe Unido on August 6.

Montego Bay's first home match will be against DC United on September 22.

"When I spoke to CONCACAF they told me they are going high-definition so that is why they keep raising lighting standards," Powell said, adding that the requirements being imposed are in response to demands from television-rights sponsors.

"The National Stadium is the only place that meets all the criteria, so if we fail we will have to use national stadium," he added.

Powell said he is disappointed by the seeming inflexibility exhibited by CONCACAF in the lighting area. He said that his club has acquested to several requests for changes related to fixtures.

"So, if the TV is going to look a little bit off due to the light, why not have the matches at an earlier time," he said.

Montego Bay's home games are set to start at 7 p.m.

He said that he is now prepared to consider the option of travelling to the National Stadium or Sabina Park in Kingston to play the games and that would mean additional cost associated with rental.

In addition, he said the club would not have the benefit of the hundreds of home supporters as they would not be able to travel from the second city with the team to the games.