JFF vexed by Hall resignation threat

STAR Sports has been reliably informed that the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) is now actively searching for a new head coach after talks between the organisation and interim coach Paul Hall have reportedly broken down.

It is understood that the JFF hierarchy became upset with Hall after he reportedly threatened to resign after tensions between the Reggae Boyz and the JFF because of mishandled flight arrangements for the team's return to Kingston. This was after Jamaica's 1-1 draw in Suriname in the Concacaf Nations League on June 4.

The incident resulted in the players demanding the resignation of General Secretary Dalton Wint. The team said it would not play the return leg of the game in Kingston on June 7 if Wint was not removed from the role. He has since promised to give in to their demands to leave the role, however, no official resignation letter has been submitted.

A source at the JFF told STAR Sports that JFF officials felt disrespected that Hall decided to stand in solidarity with the players on their ultimatum, leading them to look at other candidates for the role permanently.

Hall, 49, was a member of Jamaica's team that qualified for the FIFA World Cup in France 1998 and previously served in an assistant coach's role with the Reggae Boyz. He was then appointed on an interim basis in December after then head coach Theodore Whitmore's dismissal. He led the Reggae Boyz, in the Nations League, to a 3-1 win over Suriname on June 7, then a 1-1 draw at home with Mexico on June 14. His contract expires at the end of the month.

STAR Sports sought a comment from Hall, and JFF president Michael Ricketts but calls to both persons went unanswered.

Jamaica will next be in action against Mexico in their return leg in the Nations League on March 23, 2023.