JFF braces for reduced FIFA grant

The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) is set to receive the first of its two allocations of the US$1.5million (over J$214 million) in COVID-19 relief from FIFA at the end of the month. But a source inside the JFF told STAR Sports that the financial restrictions placed on the JFF by FIFA, will see the federation getting a figure reduced from what was originally anticipated.

STAR Sports has learned that the JFF will receive only US$250,000 (over J$36 million) in the first instalment. However, by calculations they should be getting US$750,000 (over J$108 million) for the disbursement (US$500,000 or over J$72 million for the general football programme and US$250,000 for women's football). However, it is still unclear if the amount specified would include the money for women's football.

End of the month

General secretary, Dalton Wint, said that the funds were due to arrive by the end of the month. However, he could not definitively say the sum they were expecting.

"I rely on facts," he said. "I might have an idea that they will give me US$2million (roughly J$290 million) but the fact is I might not get more than US$10."

However, Wint said that the administrative restrictions placed on the JFF by FIFA could impact their allotment.

"We have to wait and see, because generally that would form part of how they deal with things, so let's see. But we are hopeful." he said.

In March, FIFA Senior Governance Manager Sarah Solemale met with the JFF to amend its statutes in a two-day conference. This is because of numerous instances of administrative mismanagement that became public knowledge over the last two years, which has restrict funding. These changes were expected to be fully implemented before the end of the year, however, the process has been stalled by the global coronavirus outbreak.