JFF Denies “Baseless” Allegations Made by Leon Bailey
Following Reggae Boyz player Leon Bailey’s bombshell interview on the Let’s Be Honest podcast, the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) has denied the allegations made by the footballer and has called for him to present proof to substantiate his argument.
During his recent interview on Let’s Be Honest, Bailey spoke about his time at Kingston College, his decision to become a professional footballer, and the lack of infrastructure in the Jamaican football system.
The most telling part of the interview, however, was undoubtedly when the 25-year-old revealed to host Jaii Frais that high-ranking JFF members consistently attempted to sabotage his career as a footballer as young as the age of eight. Bailey alleged that JFF members used their connection to the Jamaican embassies to block him from getting a European visa when he was 12 and suggested their issues with him were because of his ties to his agent, Craig Butler.
However, the JFF has since denied all allegations made by Bailey and described them as baseless in an official statement. The federation expressed that they had hoped to handle the situation internally, but due to feedback from stakeholders and the public, they are forced to discuss the matter publicly.
To add, it was also stated that it was unfortunate that Bailey had such feelings towards the organization and had not shared them. Noting that the federation considered Bailey an asset to the Reggae Boyz, they called for the player to present evidence.
“The JFF has always seen Leon as an important member of the National team, and what he has said is baseless and is consistent with recent similar comments made, which we have called for evidence to be shared, either privately or publicly, so that we can act on it. To date, no such evidence has been shared,” the JFF stated.
The federation went on to question the ability of a child between the ages of 8 and 12 to understand the motives and actions taken by the JFF and refuted any claims that the JFF held any power to influence visa-granting decisions. The organization also expressed that any such statement implied that the Jamaican Embassy would be complicit in the federation acting in a corrupt manner.
