THE EDITOR, Sir:
THE REGGAE Boyz, one of my favourite football teams (after the "Goats" from Guadalajara, Me-xico) had some immigration problems before going to Mexico, as your prestigious newspaper informed.
An explanation was given to the Jamaican authorities. The following is an edited version of the official explanation by this Embassy:
In the view of the Embassy the issue was only whether or not the participation of the Jamaican team in the match in Mexico was profit-oriented.
Once the International Football Federation (FIFA) confirmed that the Jamaican team would not be paid for its performance in Mexico, the Mexican authorities sent new instructions indicating that a payment was not required nor finger-printing necessary.
The Jamaican passports are fully honoured. The Mexican migratory document issued by Consulates and Consular Sections of Mexican Embassies for profit-oriented activities by foreigners, should be viewed as a temporary work permit having legal effects only in Mexico.
The Embassy is concerned that if in the future the Jamaican Football Team goes to Mexico for a profit-oriented match such as a friendly match, a similar situation might be provoked. That situation must be avoided for other Jamaican persons or groups applying for permits to undertake profit-oriented activities in Mexico.
In that situation, a fee will be required as well as finger-printing, according to Mexican rules and regulations adopted in Mexico by Mexican authorities, applicable to all nationalities.
It is pertinent to clarify that in Mexico finger-printing is a normal and lawful means of identification. Documents that most Mexicans have, such as driver's licences and electoral credentials, have the digital print of the bearer. Finger-printing is not insulting or offensive nor in violation of human rights. It is also pertinent to add that the document with the digital print is delivered to the bearer and that copy of the digital print is not kept in the Embassy's file.
Incidentally, a Mexican journalist specialising in football told me that, during the World Cup and before, a percentage of the profit in all stadiums, including the TV transmissions, is deposited in a CONCACAF fund, and that at the end of the World Cup, that fund is divided among all participating teams of the CONCACAF region. That is a lot of money that makes all matches profit-oriented for all participants. I am recommending that my Government do an investigation. If the above-mentioned assumption is true, Capt. Burrell deserves to be corrected since, in that case, he misled the authorities and the public opinion.
What Capt. Burrell and The Observer cartoonist failed to understand is that there are different immigration statutes, regarding the tourist who goes to Mexico to watch a football match or for sightseeing. A different matter is a team that goes to Mexico for a profit-oriented activity. For instance, if Beenie Man goes to Mexico to give a concert on a commercial basis, he has to pay a fee and provide fingerprints on a document, which he will need to have in order to work in Mexico. The same is applicable to business persons or other professionals going to Mexico for profit-oriented activities.
It is pertinent to appeal to Capt. Burrell, for the sake of the Reggae Boyz, not to expose them to a war of nerves and unnecessary psychological pressure by contesting immigration regulations when they travel. Maybe the four-love score in Mexico was the result of that psychological pressure. It is necessary to clarify that FIFA does not give instructions to Mexican authorities as Capt. Burrell stated on TV. The previous time the Jamaican team went to Mexico, he refused to pay taxes.
I am, etc.,
JOSE LUIS VALLARTA,
Ambassador of Mexico
