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Humble Lion punished for using ineligible player
February 21, 2024
CHIEF EXECUTIVE Officer of the Jamaica Professional Football Limited (PFJL) Owen Hill says although Jamaica Premier League (JPL) clubs are improving administratively, the incident which led to Humble Lion forfeiting their game against Montego Bay United shows that clubs still have some way to go in their internal operations.
On Sunday, Roshane Sharpe of Humble Lion, who is on three yellow cards and should have served an automatic one-match suspension, played in the game against Montego Bay and was found in breach of article 17.2 and 18.31 of the 2023-24 regulations.
As a result the club had to forfeit the game, which they won 2-1 on the day, and the three points and a 3-0 victory awarded to Montego Bay.
According to Hill, the reason remain behind Humble Lion fielding the player remains unclear as each week the clubs are provided with all the information needed to guide their administration, and that the last document sent to the club specifically stated that Sharpe should be serving a one-match suspension.
"I do not know if it was an oversight but he played the game and although Humble Lion won, they had to forfeit. And he (Sharpe) will still has to serve that one match suspension," he said.
Hill said the fact that the incident was brought to their attention by the opposing team, Montego Bay, shows that clubs are paying attention to the information but noted that it also proves that there is still work to do.
"I commend the clubs because essentially it was brought to our attention by Montego Bay United.
"It's speaks to a certain understanding and vigilance from the clubs.
"It shows that everybody is taking the business of football very seriously. However there are areas we are looking to improve, which is club development," Hill said.
Last season Waterhouse missed out on a place in the playoffs after they were penalised for using Shaquille Bradford, who should have missed a game on yellow card accumulation.
Cavalier were also found guilty of the same offence after they used Christopher Ainsworth.
However, unlike last season when the teams were deducted three points for their breach of the rules, this term the regulations dictate that they forfeit the match and the points and three goals go to the opposing team.
Humble Lion sit ninth in the table on 21 points. Efforts to get a response from Humble Lion were unsuccessful.
