Jamaica women boycott upcoming Gold Cup qualifiers amid pay row with the country’s FA… as the Reggae Girlz claim they have yet to receive ‘full and correct payments’ for their performances at the World Cup

Jamaica’s World Cup squad are set to boycott upcoming Gold Cup qualifiers
The team explained their reasoning in a statement posted on social media
Statement accuses the Jamaica Football Federation of a ‘cycle of mistreatment’

Members of the Jamaica women’s national team have released a statement condemning the Jamaica Football Federation and announcing they will boycott their upcoming games.

The Reggae Girlz are scheduled to face off against Panama and Guatemala next week as part of qualifying for the 2024 Gold Cup, but several of the nation’s top stars will not feature as part of the boycott.

In the statement, shared by the multiple stars including Man City star Khadija Shaw, the players accused the JFF of ‘constant mistreatment’ and insists they felt it necessary to take a ‘drastic stance’.

Led by Lorne Donaldson, the team qualified for just their second World Cup finals by reaching the tournament this summer and went on to reach the knockout stages for the first time.

The players also accused the JFF of ‘unprofessional communication’ in their statement pertaining to the appointment of Xavier Gilbert, who took over following Donaldson’s departure last month.

Jamaica’s World Cup squad, including Man City star Khadija Shaw, have shared a statement announcing they are boycotting upcoming games

The Reggae Girlz qualified for the knockout stages for the first time in their history this summer

But in the statement they allege they are yet to receive ‘full and correct payments’ for their performances at the tournament

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The statement also alleges the squad have ‘yet to receive full and correct payments for our historical performances at the World Cup’ and ‘numerous outstanding bonuses for qualifying in the summer of 2022.’

‘While this has been one of the hardest decisions we have had to make, we feel it is necessary to take such a drastic stance to put an end to the constant mistreatment we receive from the Jamaica Football Federation,’ the team said.

According to a report from ESPN, the JFF responded to the team which features WSL stars such as Manchester City’s Khadija Shaw, in a memo which stated that the players will be suspended until the issues are resolved.

The JFF’s memo also reportedly claims that the boycott is not consistent with the terms of the players’ contracts, which states they must each individually contact the organisation if they intend on making themselves unavailable for selection.

REGGAE GIRLZ FULL STATEMENT

It is with great disappointment we share that the 2023 World Cup roster will not be participating in the upcoming October international window for the first ever Women’s Gold Cup Qualifiers.

While this has been one of the hardest decisions we have had to make, we feel it is necessary to take such a drastic stance to put an end to the constant mistreatment we receive from the Jamaica Football Federation.

As always, it is an honor and a privilege to represent Jamaica. It is our job to perform to the best of our ability and put all of our efforts into representing our country, making our fans, loved ones at home, and diaspora proud. Due to the current circumstances the Jamaica Football Federation has put us in, we would not be able to do our job.

We have received information about our coaching staff, medical staff, and equipment staff in an untimely manner and through unprofessional communication. We have gotten confirmation of our head coach 3 days prior to our report date through social media, despite our efforts to have direct communication with the JFF.

We have yet to receive full and correct payments for our historical performances at the World Cup and the numerous outstanding bonuses for qualifying in the summer of 2022.

We have dealt with this lack of communication, poor organization, poor management, and delayed payments from the JFF time and time again.

For these reasons, we take our stance in solidarity with hope to end this cycle of mistreatment.

With love,

Your Reggae Girlz

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