Jamaica’s Women’s World Cup Team Refuses To Play In International Games, Taking ‘Drastic Stance’ Against Football Federation

Jamaica’s Women’s World Cup team announced plans to take a “drastic stance” against the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) over a dispute for alleged nonpayment, as well as poor management, by refusing to suit up for upcoming international competition, CNN reported.

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A post shared by Khadija Bunny Shaw (@bun_bun10)

In a statement shared by team leaders, striker Khadija Shaw and captain Allyson Swaby, as well as other core members of the World Cup-qualifying squad, the players outlined what they feel is mistreatment from the federation and announced that they would not be representing their country in international games, slated to begin on October 25.

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

The players also stated a failure by the federation to present pertinent information regarding coaching, medical, and equipment staff in a timely fashion amongst reasons for their strike, including the naming of the team’s head coach for the tournament.

“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,” the statement reads. The team made history this year when they became the first-ever Caribbean nation to advance to the knockout phase of the tournament.

The Jamaica Football Federation offered its take on the matter alongside a suspension of any “selection of the players in question” to represent the country.

“The JFF is eager to clear up all the concerns that team members may have in accordance with the contracts,” the organization said per CNN. “If there is a grievance or concern, this must be placed squarely on the table to be addressed and documented to the JFF.”