NOT SO CAPTAIN BURRELL

Last week Captain Horace Burrell’s ban that was imposed by FIFA was lifted. The six-month ban, three months of which were suspended, plus two years’ probation, was punishment for what football world’s governing body deemed to be his role in the cash for votes scandal that hit the FIFA presidential campaign last year May.

Captain Burrell returned to announce upcoming match schedules and a new deal with sportswear company Kappa, but as far as the scandal was concerned he was mum. According to the JFF President the matter is closed. I disagree.

When Captain Burrell took the job as president of the Jamaica Football Federation, he not only took on the job to represent all the football associations across the island, he also took on the responsibility of being Jamaica’s representative for football. This is a man who will want us to come out in support of the national football team when they’re playing at ‘The Office’. That is one of the ways in which the JFF raises money to carry out its business. In a manner, Jamaicans – sponsors and spectators – are shareholders of the national programme; without them there is no JFF.

So when Captain Burrell says the matter is closed, it is a slap in the face of Jamaican sponsors and public. If you campaign for a job then there are certain responsibilities that you should be aware of and one of those is accountability. Jamaicans need to know the details behind why Captain Burrell was suspended, why he remains on two years’ probation, and why Horace Reid, the General Secretary, was warned. Jamaicans need to know if anyone from Jamaica got money from Mohammed Bin Hammam during those meetings in Trinidad last year May, because we have the right to know if Captain Burrell and the members of his executive are acting in the best interest of Jamaica’s football or in their own best interests.

Coming off a three-month ban and declining to divulge relevant details but wanting unconditional support for the national programme is nothing short of disrespectful, brazen disrespect. There are those who will see nothing wrong as seems to be the case with Caribbean Football Union delegates, who Captain Burrell will be lobbying for help in his bid to become president. However, for those of us who will invest tens of thousands of Jamaican dollars and large portions of human emotion, for that support to come, the Captain needs to come clean.

Let the public determine whether he deserves forgiveness and a second chance. Jamaicans need; no deserve to know, whether or not Captain Burrell and the members of his executive can be trusted. They don’t deserve to have acceptance rammed down their throats.

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15 Responses to “NOT SO CAPTAIN BURRELL”

Dale Shares says:

January 26, 2012 at 9:18 am

Great article, BUT it’s always a lot of talk but no investigation from those inside Jamaica to find out about what the real story is. I find it amazing that writers are asking about his credibility when the captain would never reveal what you want to hear or Jamaica ‘The Land the Rest of Love’ needs to hear. The best thing, if you’re willing to go beyond your article, is to really investigate this character or just sit and wait to see how the JFF will do in qualifying for the W/C.
Many would like to see him out ASAP regardless of what he has done in his past. If the JFF get into the W/C you’re stuck with a person that has no integrity and who will more than likely be the next CFU president.
There will be a judgement one day and every man, include Reid, will face this. You do not have to wait. Judgement on a guy like this who represent Jamaica, and as you say all the stakeholders (the people)can go. New blood and smart guys are in line to even do a better job.
Messengjah says:

January 26, 2012 at 10:36 am

I fully concur with this article. I have always felt that something was terrible wrong when a business (Captain’s Bakery) could be a sponsor of football in a particular jurisdiction and its owner is the president of JFF, who also simultaneously relies on support from said jurisdiction when seeking the JFF presidency. Am I the only one who sees this as a serious conflict of interest??

As to the FIFA debacle, Burrell HAS NO MORAL AUTHORITY to continue as JFF president. If he continues in this position, then regardless of what he says, THE ONLY INTERPRETATION to be gleaned is that he is a self-centred individual, and it’s really all about him and self promotion and nothing to do with Jamaica’s football!!
Freddy says:

January 27, 2012 at 11:37 am

Burrel has been around forever. Is ther no term limit to his presidency? I believe there should be one not only for JFF but for all sporting boards.
DeNadz says:

January 27, 2012 at 1:53 pm

Burrell should have been booted years ago. There has been way too much controversy surrounding him. He has brought shame to Jamaica and yet he still serves as head of Jamaican football. Enough is enough.
percy johnson says:

January 27, 2012 at 3:43 pm

The days of Don-manship are over. Personalities such as this is dangerous, immoral and incestious…and autocratic!

Dangerous practice and precedent!
Un Poco Loco says:

January 27, 2012 at 7:02 pm

The parish association’s presidents are the ones giving Burrell that power to be so arrogant.
celticgods says:

January 30, 2012 at 12:09 pm

Burrell, should have been man enough to resign immediately, and Reid too while we are at it.
Since he isn’t he should be forcibly removed.

Why has the full story of his transgressions never been reported publicly?

Did money change hands and if so on how many occasions and where did it go?

Shameful episode for Jamaica and the entire Caribbean.
Rudy Robinson says:

February 1, 2012 at 9:58 am

We Jamaicans are obviously quite happy with the state of local football as we spend our time arguing about the exploits of the Captain and forgetting that we have not achieved anything significant in the sport since 1998.

If football is the most loved sport in this nation, then why are we so mediocre at it, excelling instead in athletics and netball?

What is the plan to get to the 2014 World Cup? Just hire English players and forget about local development?

Looks like Jamaican fans will be cheering for Brazil again.
Messengjah says:

February 1, 2012 at 12:27 pm

In today’s Sports page article, Burrell claims that his suspension was based on the fact that “he refused initially to fully cooperate with FIFA’s investigation”. Really?? So what was the reason/rationale for not wanting to cooperate? He believes the matter is “now closed”, but Jamaicans have a right to know EVERYTHING that transpired. The arrogance of Burrell knows no bounds, as boldly stated in another Sports page article today that he expected to be appointed, even possibly within 48-hrs., to another FIFA committee, which possibly could be more important than the Disciplinary Committee on which he served prior to his suspension. This begs the question regarding the integrity of FIFA istself!
Dissapointed Fan says:

February 1, 2012 at 1:08 pm

It is amazing how the fotball fraternity and the sports media seem to have brushed this one aside. But what else should we expect if none of them saw the conflict in Burrell’s company being the sponsor of almost all of the parish federations.

This is no different from the conflicts some of these same people cry out so loudly about when it is the politicians who are guily.

As to FIFA, nothing more than a den of CORRUPTION. They are simply s”scratching each others back” SHAME !!!!!
Hugo says:

February 5, 2012 at 11:39 am

The Captain has been the best thing for Jamaican football. His vision and focus has paid off big time in the past as in our participation in theb1998 world cup finals. We have seen the deterioration in Jamaica’ s football during the Boxhill era which left many begging for the captains return. Why criticise his wide scale sponsorship of football through his private company when others are not coming forward. Cant you see that his sponsorship is filling a critical gap. I would concede that it’s not ideal and may even raise question of conflict of interest given his presidency of JFF but until other sponsors emerge it unfair to ascribe surpticious motive.

Captain has said in no uncertain manner that JFF or none of its members accepted any funds in the recent FIFA saga. What more do you want, if the investigators can’t find any proof ?
Donald Mckenzie says:

February 7, 2012 at 8:10 am

I am not surprised by the captain’s response.There is another twist to this story though why no independent body has been asked to investigate the claims against Blatter for the same transgressions. FIFA has been known to be one of the most corrupt bodes worldwide it cannot be allowed to continue to operate in the same manner.
david mcneil says:

February 13, 2012 at 4:40 pm

ANyone who think that Burrell has not benefited financially (albeit at least unethically) thru his relationship with the football programme is a fool. There is more to this than the eye tells and enough people knows what has happened but just keep silent because they also are corrupt.
I remember when Burrell showed on film that he always carried a gun and how that clip was used against us. Boot him out.
HM says:

March 17, 2012 at 8:37 am

Another manipulation by the JFF and the political controls they want from their practices as past Jack Warner clones. When will the CFU and the JFF do it right for the players.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport/CFU-Congress-set-for-Hungary-on-May-22_11032192

Jamaica’s Captain Horace Burrell, who was a senior vice-president and acting president of the CFU following the resignation of Austin ‘Jack’ Warner before the executive was dissolved in relation to the cash-for-votes scandal, is expected to be a leading contender for the post of president.

Before the new statutes regarding the election process were adopted last week, other leading candidates for the post of president then were another Jamaican Tony James, Antigua’s Gordon Derrick and Trinidad’s Harold Taylor.

Among the new rules governing the matter of elections is the plank that makes it clear that only one candidate is eligible from each territory, and that candidate must be nominated by his local federation. That rule would likely eliminate James as a second candidate from Jamaica, as it is highly expected that Burrell would get the local federation’s endorsement, which he serves as president.

Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport/CFU-Congress-set-for-Hungary-on-May-22_11032192#ixzz1pNflVP3r
Paul Banta says:

March 25, 2012 at 10:05 am

After reading the above writings we can perceive that a continuation of a Jamaican Football Drama might be needing change with a new football face, new leadership ideas and structure that would realistically serve the players. This may also not be realistic or attainable for those leading present path of football in Jamaica. A newly generated path of football perception, new thinking patterns, speaking and action by leaders apparently is warranted.

Change if life (or football)is happening as we live out our daily lives. One of the greatest examples is Jesus taking a very good business man called Peter by changing his life for the good of the Jewish Nation. After Peter and his friends could catch fish that night Jesus said had them go back out and fish again. Short version is that 2 boats got filled and Peter being the sinner that he knew he was said the following.

Luke 5:8 says, “When Simon Peter realized what had happened (the fishing miracle), he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me for I’m too much of a sinner to be around you.”

In 3 years Peter became one of the great leaders in the world and today we see his example as a person who we could model after.

I’ve always felt deep inside my heart that Jamaican football is really and always must be about the “PLAYERS”, then the people, and lastly about the ‘Land We say We Love”. It is never about the leadership because if leaders are doing what their defining roles are then it is never about them but only about those they lead by their day to day integrity, passion for the game, loyalty, love, grace and mercy.

As I have over the years attended international matches at the stadium and sang the national anthem with the other spectators and heard the open prayer by Portia Simpson (nice to see her back) and there becomes the same chilling affect as in the case when I sing my own national anthem of the USA. Jamaica has always and will be my second home as I’ve married Jamaican for 45 years now, have coached at Munro College, help Jackie Bell with Santos and delivered coaching seminars and courses to 100′s of coaches by invitations from several of the past presents of the JFF and on behalf of GSM International.

I have observe football in Jamaica now for over 40 years. Many of my best friends are Jamaicans in the present football structure and we speak frequently about football in Jamaica and the need for change.

Taking these experiences and observations into consideration why do I perceive (and I think I’m not alone) that the above may not be happening and may never come to a reality under the present structure of football in Jamaica. Change is so vital to move players ahead with coaches and leaders in the game that are either re-vitalize or replaced in the right timing and who are filled with a new way of thinking, speaking and action that is beyond CONCACAF. One that is using integrity first as they plan for a path of football development of the game and is only about the player in the land we love.

May God continue to change and then bless those in football who see the game not for themselves but for those they serve.

Paul Banta
President of GSM International