MoBay United mulls PLCA withdrawal

The ongoing battle between the Premier League Clubs Association and Montego Bay United (MBUFC) appears headed for yet another round as the Premier League champions have served notice to the Professional Footballers Association of Jamaica (PFAJ) of their intention to withdraw as a member of the Premier League Clubs Association (PLCA).

Operations Manager at MBU Sandra Christie told STAR Sports that the club is seeking a meeting with the Don Anderson-led PFAJ as soon as possible to make their case.

"We are considering this move, because for over three years, we have been calling for changes in how the PLCA is managed, and still, there has been no change. We are requesting a meeting to let known our intentions on the issue," stated Christie.

The implication of the withdrawal from the PLCA is that it would leave MBU to negotiate with and relate directly to league title sponsors Red Stripe, something that Christie reasoned would not seriously damage the club's standing in the league or its relationship with the sponsor.

The PLCA and the reigning champions have long been at odds. In the lead-up to, and on the day of the final of, the last Red Stripe Premier League campaign, MBU protested, making their point by arriving late at the match venue clad in black instead of their regular pre-match attire.

They were subsequently fined $275,000 for their actions, but that did little to dampen MBU's stance, with club president Orville Powell stating then that the protest would continue until real changes were made in how the PLCA managed its affairs, primarily with MBU.

Andrew Price, the man who held the general manager post at the PLCA for a while and who was like a lightning rod for MBU criticism, was recently replaced by Patricia Garel.

However, it appears that MBU's position remains the same.

"Irrespective of the change of manager, the issues remain the same as before. We believe, fairly so, that the PLCA is lacking in transparency, proper management, and accountability," Christie said.