KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC- The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) says it is worried that the current scandal rocking football’s governing body could have an adverse effect on the sport.
The JFF also said it was disappointed after the arrest of several high-level FIFA officials resulting from investigations by Swiss law enforcement authorities and the USA Justice Department.
They include CONCACAF president and FIFA vice-president, Jeffrey Webb who is from the Cayman Islands and Trinidad and Tobago politician Jack Warner, the former FIFA vice president.
“The Jamaica Football Federation has consistently condemned all acts of corruption in the sport, and this case is no different,” said the release.
“I am extremely disappointed with the whole situation and the negative effects that this is having on the sport globally and regionally” the JFF statement quotes president Horace Burrell as saying.
Burrell, JFF vice-president Bruce Gaynor and general secretary Raymond Grant are in Zurich, Switzerland, for the FIFA Congress where the incumbent Sepp Blatter was returned for a fifth term as president on Friday.
Also facing charges of racketeering, money laundering and wire fraud by US authorities are former Costa Rica football head and FIFA executive committee member Eduardo Li.
The JFF says it is also seeking to assure the population in Jamaica that the integrity of the country’s football is intact.
“The JFF also wants to reassure the Jamaican football-loving public that all our programmes and our commitment to the growth and development of the game continue,” the release said.
“We wish to thank all concerned for their understanding as we are unable to make any further comments at this time as we await the results of ongoing investigations”.
