THE Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) has found itself embroiled in yet another controversy following the announcement of the Reggae Boyz squad for the upcoming Copa America competition.
The squad, revealed on Wednesday last, included Aston Villa winger, Leon Bailey, who quickly took to social media to label the inclusion as “misleading information.” This development has sparked confusion and debate among fans and stakeholders alike.
JFF President, Michael Ricketts, in an interview with Sportsmax.TV early Thursday, provided insight into the selection process and the circumstances surrounding Bailey’s inclusion. The president explained that no player is selected for national duty until there is dialogue with the player’s club or representatives.
According to Ricketts, the situation stemmed from complex interactions between the JFF, Bailey, and his father and agent, Craig Butler. Butler, he said, had attempted to negotiate Bailey’s availability for the national team by seeking the selection of players from his Phoenix Academy for both the national senior team and the national U20 team.
“We don’t speak with the players; we speak with the player’s club or the player’s agent. In this case, (Craig) Butler, got in contact with the General Secretary Dennis Chung,” Ricketts said. “He wanted other players [from Phoenix Academy] in the U20 squad and he wants players in the senior team in exchange for Bailey. The General Secretary told him no, I can’t deal with that.”
The president explained that the general secretary does not play a role in team selection, that is the responsibility of the coaching staff.
Ricketts noted that following his conversation with Chung, Butler then placed a call to Coach Heimir Hallgrimsson and during their conversation assured him that Bailey would not be available for Jamaica’s game against Mexico but would be available for the second and third group-stage games of the Copa America. Consequently, the coach decided to include Bailey in the squad based on this assurance.
Ricketts said he is unaware of any other matters that arose between Butler and the Reggae Boyz head coach.
“Having told the coach that Bailey would be available for the second and third games, the coach named Bailey as part of the squad,” Ricketts stated.
Bailey, who has been suspended since the November international break for breaking curfew, had not featured in Jamaica’s recent matches, including the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against the Dominican Republic and Dominica earlier this month. Following his suspension, Bailey announced on a podcast that he was taking a break from international football.
On social media Wednesday last, Butler reiterated Bailey’s stance, stating that posts suggesting Bailey’s willingness to participate in the Copa America were misleading. “Posts made on social media that are surfacing at this time is a misrepresentation of his position,” Butler wrote. “We wish the Reggae Boyz well in the Copa America competition and he, along with his management team, will continue to support the Jamaica National Team at all levels … change must come…Respect and One Love for all.”(Sportsmax).
