Ricketts clings to power in Jamaica after Congress postponed, but is suspected of electoral fraud

January 16 – Jamaica Soccer Federation (JFF) president Michael Ricketts East hang on on has power following THE postponement of A electoral JFF Congress on Sunday.

THE postponement follows A request For A OBLIGATORY injunction has be imposed by Jamaica Supreme Court allowing Patricia Garel, president of Beach Soccer Jamaica, has participate In THE Future election of JFF officers.

THE court denied has impose THE injunction but did order A temp worker injunction be put In place For A period of 28 days on hold further determination by THE Court.

Garel argues that THE JFF gave acknowledgement has Beach Soccer When he was guest has send three representatives has THE Congress on September 24 last year, And that This East reflected In THE minutes of THE JFF. Beach Soccer Jamaica East recognized by Beach Soccer Global, A affiliate of FIFA.

However, After apparently recognize Garel's organization, A separated Beach Soccer organization was created below THE name Beach Soccer Association of Jamaica. That organization East co-chaired by JFF vice president Bruce Gaynor, And another director of JFF, Patrick Malcolm.

THE JFF granted he THE RIGHT has represent beach soccer In Jamaica And has to have vote rights. Garel was started out THE Congress And In unknown Status as A result.

This East Or THE plot thickens. In THE vote Congress that should to have has been detained on Sunday, Gaynor East A member of Rickett election slate of civil servants. In effect, by granting that of Gaynor new beach soccer entity vote rights, Ricketts was Ultimately to guarantee her presidential election another vote.

Ricketts has A very credible challenger For THE presidency In THE form of A THE JFF current advice members, Raymonde To agree. To agree has has been A JFF advice member Since 1987 And was A JFF vice president Since 1996 has 2002 – he knows THE scene And East real hazard For Ricketts ambition has continue.

Ricketts JFF presidency has has been controversial Since THE to start. In FEBRUARY 2022 he lost A defamation case brought against him For homophobic comments he do about rival soccer administrator Ainsley Lowe around her election campaign In 2017.

THE case finished In THE Jamaican Supreme Court with Ricketts be order has pay fines For defamation, malice, worsen And copy damage. He Also had has issue A public apologies has Lowe.

Ricketts East Also responsible For THE alienation of her Women's soccer team, WHO won world support And cheer has THE 2023 Women's World Cup When they qualified For last 16.

THE the team battle For funding support Since Ricketts And THE JFF had has been A long running, And has times ashamed history, And saw THE women rely on on THE support of Cédille Marly And their own self discovery efforts has put A program together. Their success further Underlines THE lack of support Since Ricketts.

Job World Cup Ricketts even retained THE player bonuses given by FIFA – they to have NOW would have has been paid. This directed has THE Jamaican women refusing has play For their country In THE inaugural W Gold Cup qualifiers. As A result THE Jamaicans failed has to qualify For THE finals Or even A play slot For THE the biggest international Women's tournament Never has be plays In In Concacaf And In which THE four high South American country – including Brazil And Argentina – will play.

THE JFF issued A statement saying: "In light of THE previous, THE Jamaica Soccer Federation wishes has advise that THE Vote Congress of THE Jamaica Soccer Federation program For January 14, 2024, East postponed until further notice. THE administration of THE Jamaica Soccer Federation will continue has be headed by President Michael Ricketts And will continue has advise It is delegates of any of them developments. »

THE Jamaican court will TO DO It is observation In 28 days but FIFA And Concacaf could very likely stage In Before SO. Ricketts will to have do GOOD if he manages has slide her path through This last scandal And retain her presidency.

Contact THE writer of This history has moc.l1705421883labto1705421883ofdlr1705421883owedi1705421883sni@n1705421883osloh1705421883cin.l1705421883uap1705421883