Ricketts backs Donaldson

Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) President Michael Ricketts is dismissing speculations that Reggae Girlz head coach Lorne Donaldson's tenure could be in jeopardy following last Friday's incident with women's committee Chairperson Elaine Walker-Brown.

Ricketts addressed the situation that transpired last Friday in which Walker-Brown was prevented from travelling on the team bus for an out-of-town excursion while being at Tuesday's send-off party for the Reggae Girlz, after their final training camp before the 23-player roster for the World Cup is named.

Ricketts said there are no plans for a coaching change as he looks to work out any qualms before the Girlz travel to Australia.

"That is not on the cards right now. We want to ensure that whatever issues we have, we discuss them, we have them amicably settled, and then we move on," Ricketts told STAR Sports.

The Reggae Girlz' preparations during their weeklong local camp, which concluded on Tuesday, were clouded in controversy after the players expressed several grouses, including dissatisfaction with the preparations, unpaid match fees, below-standard planning, accommodation, nutrition and access to proper resources.

Ricketts acknowledged the JFF discussing the incident, but said no decision had been made on Donaldson's future.

"I know that the technical committee would have had some discussions with him. The board is certainly unhappy about what happened with the director, but no decisions have been made, and no recommendations have been made," Ricketts said.

Donaldson's contract expires in September after their Olympic-qualifying tie against Canada, and when asked about his future beyond that, he was only focused on his current assignments.

"I can't answer that. People make decisions. I am the coach right now. Whatever comes after that. Our focus is the World Cup. Whatever comes after the World Cup and the Canada game, hopefully, it is the best thing for Jamaica football," Donaldson said.

"That is all we hope for because we have some fantastic young players coming up."

"Some of those under-20s that came out and trained with us, we have some very good young players, and we have to nurture them and guide them in the right way to become the next Khadija Shaw and Jody Brown," he continued.