No Reggae Boyz recruitment of Greenwood – Stewart

Former national assistant coach Bradley Stewart is dismissing the idea of Jamaica accommodating English-born striker Mason Greenwood, as he contends that it would have morality questions and the perception of the Reggae Boyz being solely dependent on foreign-born talent than those homegrown.

Bradley responded to comments in a published report that the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) would welcome Greenwood should he choose to switch allegiances from England.

The Manchester United forward was embroiled in a court case from January last year in England. He was accused and criminally charged with attempted rape and engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour against an unnamed woman. The Crown Prosecution Service decided not to progress with criminal charges earlier this week.

Greenwood, who qualifies to play for Jamaica through his parents, reportedly rejected advances from the JFF in the past, and the consideration for the Reggae Boyz stems from reports that he would not be called up for England under current head coach Gareth Southgate.

Stewart was totally against pursuing Greenwood because of the circumstances.

"If approaches were made to him before and he refused, why would you want to bring him back now that he is in the situation that he is in? He is not any more accepted by the country he chose. Why would you want to bring him here now?" Stewart questioned.

JFF general secretary Dennis Chung told media on Tuesday that the federation would not rule out Greenwood being a part of the Reggae Boyz, with the final decision resting on head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson.

Stewart argued that a potential revisiting of Greenwood would signal a recruiting policy of favouring foreign-born talent that may not be as good as the homegrown products.

"Are we going to pick up everything they threw out as garbage when at your own club, you are seen as damaged material the way that Manchester United is saying? It is going to have repercussions in terms of sponsors," Stewart said.

"In modern countries, there are a lot of protections for women and children, and we are looking to pick up those discarded people, the same way we deny our local players an opportunity for foreign players that are not much better than what we have. I am kind of disappointed in that."

Nike ended their relationship with Greenwood after his arrest last year and despite charges being dropped, Greenwood is still suspended from football activities with Manchester United, pending the results from their internal investigation.