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Boyz coach to move forward without Leon Bailey
June 14, 2024
HEAD coach of the Reggae Boyz, Icelander Heimir Hallgrimsson, is ready to move forward without winger Leon Bailey in the Jamaica squad.
Hallgrimsson says it is every player's right to refuse to play for their country and Bailey has decided not to play for Jamaica.
"That's his decision and that's every player's right to refuse to play for their nation. He opted to do that and that's the end of the story for me, absolutely end of story. Now, I would just want everyone to focus on those players who want to play for Jamaica and let's put our support and focus on those players," Hallgrimsson said yesterday.
Bailey's inclusion in a 26-man squad named on Wednesday night brought with it some controversy, as the player responded to the announcement on social media, calling the release 'misleading'.
Craig Butler, Bailey's manager, responded to the announcement by saying Bailey's position on taking a break to be with family and to take care of his mental health, had not changed.
However, speaking on HITZ92FM, general secretary of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) Dennis Chung stated that Bailey was included in the squad after a conversation between Hallgrimsson and Butler.
"The coach (Hallgrimsson) called me and said I just had a conversation with Craig (Butler), so I said how did it go and the coach said Leon would be available for the second and third games because he had a commitment prior to that. The coach said he'll add some value and I then said, well that's your decision and you know what's best for the team," he stated.
Chung revealed that during a conversation with Butler a number of demands were made. One of those demands was to have the governing body, JFF, provide personal security for Bailey during the Copa America tournament. However, Chung stated that he made it known the federation was not in a position to provide personal security for each player on the national team.
"The second thing he (Craig Butler) said to me was what about security for Bailey. I said as far as I know Conmebol will provide a security officer, but if Bailey wants, he can carry his own personal security but we can't provide individual security for each player," Chung stated.
With the Reggae Boyz playing their opening game of the tournament next week against Mexico, Hallgrimsson stated that the squad selected boasts a group of players who have represented the country well over the last year and a half.
"There aren't many surprises in the selection as it's the players we've been playing for the last year and a half. It's a group of players that has done pretty well for Jamaica," he said.
