‘Basket to carry water’ - Wadadah coach says they have been set up to fail against MBU in JPL play-off

Western Bureau:

Coach of Wadadah, Daniel Ricketts, said they are being set up to fail in an attempt to meet the requirements to take the field in a play-off match to determine the 12th team for the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) next season.

The match, which is scheduled for this Saturday, will see Wadadah go head to head with fellow St James club, Montego Bay United (MBU).

Ricketts said he was just informed yesterday that the entire team is required to register a negative PCR test, which is estimated to cost more than $600,000.

"The Companies Office said they are not doing an express. However, after pleading with them, they are working on getting things sorted on Thursday (today) afternoon. Then again, the bank doesn't look like they can give an account in one day. I'm going to try pleading with someone for assistance to get it on Friday (tomorrow) because I have until 5 p.m. to submit the relevant documents (to Jamaica Football Federation (JFF)," Ricketts said.

"After getting the email about the match, I responded requesting the protocols, rules and guidelines due to the circumstances. I was told 'rules will be circulated shortly'. Today I heard that everyone has to do a PCR Covid test and we are going to have to pay for all that," said Ricketts.

"With all that happening they could (have) told us a long time. It's just like the people them want us to fail. A basket me a get to carry water," he added.

It is reported that if Wadadah fail to make the JFF's registration deadline, it would be deemed a forfeit and MBU would be automatically promoted to the JPL.

Ricketts is determined to play the match as he assured that they are ready for the on-the-field activities.

He believes they have too much at stake for them not to play, as it is more than a game.

Wadadah playing the match would also be a statement after feeling let down by the St James Football Association President, Gregory Daley, who is also JFF's Competitions Committee chairman.

"We are ready and going to play that match despite everything. Daley let us down and let down the parish in a big way. It's not like I didn't outline everything to him regarding the hindrance and then in the meeting is like him a throw us under the bus," Ricketts said.

STAR Sports attempted to get a feedback from Daley regarding this story. However, Daley did not respond to a call made to his cell phone at 3:17 p .m.