Hall accuses JFF of low standards

Former Reggae Boyz interim coach Paul Hall has indicated that the Jamaica Football Federation's (JFF) failure to meet the desired standards that he set for himself and those around him was the reason he stepped away from the position.

"I am ambitious and set myself and those around me - on and off the pitch - the highest standards. That is the only way for any team to drive forward and achieve success, as a whole group.

"This means the team being professionally organised on the pitch and behind the scenes, fully resourced with everyone pulling in the one direction. Without this, it is very difficult to be successful and achieve your goals. A successful organisation must act with transparency, openness, objectivity, leadership, selflessness, integrity, accountability and honesty," the former Reggae Boy said in a release yesterday.

According to Hall, he was getting inadequate support and a lack of responsiveness from the JFF after being promoted as interim coach to replace Theodore Whitmore about a year ago, when the latter was dismissed.

It has emerged that Heimir Hallgrimsson will officially be named as Reggae Boyz' coach on Friday and will take over from Hall, a member of Jamaica's historic 1998 World Cup qualifying team, the first from the English-speaking Caribbean to do so.

"I felt I had to resign as so many of my requests such as the standard of the training pitch, additional kit for cold weather in Canada and in particular organisation of transport were well below par.

"It is important to note that whilst I handed in my resignation, I was prepared to continue to manage the team for those last three games," Hall said.

Hall, the holder of a UEFA A licence and who coaches with English EFL Championship's Queens Park Rangers, explained: "I have made this decision to speak out after a lot of deliberation and with a heavy heart, as it has been my dream role since playing for Jamaica at the 1998 World Cup.

"I was proud and honoured to be appointed interim head coach.

"I had a clear long-term strategy and philosophy, including the development of youngsters and coaching staff, while recruiting new and exciting players to the squad.

The man, who along with Fitzroy Simpson and Deon Burton paid their way to try out for Jamaica's team, made the cut and played a significant role in the team qualifying, said he always tried to maintain high standards.

Despite the absence of a number of the ingredients for success, Hall said he tried to keep the dialogue open throughout his term as coach, having open and frank conversations with the technical committee, president Michael Ricketts and his team and backroom staff.

The trigger point Hall said were events just ahead of the Suriname game in June. Then, the players decided that they would not take to the field if general secretary Dalton Wint did not resign or was replaced.

This was after another series of foul-ups on the part of the administration including no arrangements for a flight home from the Dutch-Caribbean country. That was when he felt he had to make stand.