Boyz deserve what they demand – Hislop

As details of the contentious November payment negotiations between the national senior men's team and the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) are now known, former Trinidad and Tobago international goalkeeper Shaka Hislop says that despite financial challenges caused by COVID-19, there should not be an excuse into meeting the demands that their improved ranking and status deserve.

A recording was leaked recently outlining the tense talks between the federation and national defender Damion Lowe, who acted as the team's representative for his peers before they took on Saudi Arabia in two international friendlies. The series was reportedly in jeopardy as the players refused the US$1,000 (J$142,000) per game offer that was initially put forward by the JFF.

Lowe proposed US$2,000 (J$284,949) but the discussions became heated at times with members of the hierarchy of the federation citing difficulties to meet the proposal. When this was brought up, Lowe said that because of their recent elevated position regionally and internationally, the compensation needed to meet that status.

"We are ranked number three in Concacaf [so] we have to get treated according to how we are ranked," Lowe said.

Hislop concurred with Lowe as he believes that the demands are not unreasonable and that the players have done everything required to reach the status that the country now enjoys.

"They have gotten this team into the top 50 of the FIFA world rankings. They have gotten this team to the top three of Concacaf. If the JFF has no sponsors, that's on the JFF. That's on them," Hislop told STAR Sports. "If you can't get sponsors for a team as highly ranked as Jamaica is now, then you need to resign your position, not dig your heels in and put in on the players to somehow lessen their demands when no one is lessening their expectations."

Jamaica are currently ranked number 47 in the world, according to the latest rankings released on December 10.

Hislop praised Lowe for how professionally he handled the negotiations, which were eventually resolved. He said that players are committed to playing for their country but they also must be respected and not belittled in those situations.

"Players want to play and are open to negotiate, but we are not open to being lectured to. We are not open to being disregarded and disrespected, which I think a lot of this call from the JFF side was," Hislop said.