Beckford urges caution in light of Ricketts controversy

St Ann Football Association president Danny Beckford says that the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) must be careful how it handles President Michael Ricketts, in light of the judgement in his defamation case.

Ricketts has been ordered to pay $9 million in damages to Sporting Central Academy Chief Executive Officer Ainsley Lowe after being found liable for derogatory remarks he made about Lowe on Hitz92 FM in 2017. In addition to the monetary restitution, Ricketts must also issue an apology to Lowe both on the radio, and in The Sunday Gleaner by the end of the month.

Beckford brought up Ricketts' legal problems ahead of the annual general Meeting in November.

"The issue is out there, so the JFF will have to confront it one way or another, and know that FIFA, our parent body, is waiting in the wings to see what decision [is taken], whether Ricketts personally will resign or continue and what the JFF on a whole would do (in response)," Beckford told THE WEEKEND STAR. "Going forward, we want to make sure that there is not a cloud over the JFF in terms of where our leader is concerned."

The spat between Lowe and Ricketts stemmed from the 2016 Clarendon Football Association election in which Lowe said that the process was unconstitutional.

While not saying whether Ricketts should continue as president, Beckford said that any vote of confidence could have far-reaching effects.

Ricketts declined comment on the matter but said that he had not received any notice from FIFA regarding any disciplinary proceedings against him.