Portmore demand prize money from PLCA

Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) champions Portmore United have written to general manager of the Premier League Clubs Association (PLCA), Pat Garel, questioning the lengthy delay in the payment of prize monies won for this season's championship, which total over $4 million.

Portmore, who defeated Waterhouse to win the championship, are owed $2.5 for winning the competition, $1 million for topping the league on points, and over $1.5 million in individual and other team awards.

The letter said the PLCA had assured them that they would have received their monies on a number of occasions, with the last date being May 22, but none of those commitments have been honoured. According to the letter, this has resulted in the club owing outstanding salaries and bills.

"The lack of payments of the prize monies has created disastrous consequences for the club. We are now unable to meet commitments made to our players, staff and suppliers ... . The entire club - management, players, staff and fans - made significant sacrifices during the course of the 2018/2019 RSPL season, and to not even get the returns on the investment and sacrifices made is disappointing. This is not acceptable. We are hoping for a timely and urgent response," it read.

LACK OF MORAL SUPPORT

The letter, which was also copied to JFF general secretary Dalton Wint, said the back-to-back Premier League champions were also disappointed with the lack of support, moral or otherwise, they receive from the PLCA in the just-concluded FLOW Caribbean Club Championship, which they won after beating fellow Jamaican team Waterhouse.

"Despite repeated requests for support, we struggled through the recently concluded FLOW Caribbean Club Championships in a joint hosting venture with Waterhouse FC. We received no response or support from the PLCA. Both clubs represented the country well. By virtue of their performance, Jamaica will have two clubs playing international football during the 2019/ 2020 season. Waterhouse FC will be in the Scotiabank Concacaf League, and Portmore United FC will be in the Champions League. To date, none of the clubs have even received a word of congratulations from the PLCA," it said.

Attempts to get comments from Garel or PLCA vice-chairman, Carvel Stewart, were unsuccessful. However, one source close to the organisation, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the clubs were being disingenuous as they have been to meetings and have been made aware of the circumstances. The source explained that the organisation is unable to make payments until it has received its monthly allocation, which is due at the end of every month, from sponsor Red Stripe.