By Nodley Wright, Freelance Writer
Cargill
THE JAMAICA Football Federation (JFF) has sacked coach Peter Cargill, who had responsibility for the country's Under-23 team.
"The management committee of the Jamaica Football Federation has decided that national Under-23 coach, Peter Cargill, relinquish his position as a member of the technical staff as of March 25, 2004," read a part of the press release sent out by the JFF yesterday.
Cargill's removal from his position is the biggest shake-up by the new administration, which took over from Captain Horace Burrell on November 24 last year with promises that there would be no wholesale changes.
However, the JFF's release also appeared to create space for the continued existence of a relationship with Cargill.
"The federation notes his efforts during his tenure to contribute to the general development of the team in training and various tournaments, and pledges to facilitate him should he wish to continue elsewhere in any capacity in the sport," it concluded.
When contacted yesterday, Cargill offered "no comment" - not yet at least.
"I would not want to comment yet," said a relaxed sounding Cargill, who confirmed that he had had a conversation with JFF President Crenston Boxhill regarding the issue.
Continued Cargill: "I do not think it is time yet. My time (with the JFF) goes up until the 25th (of this month) so maybe after that."
Technical director Carl Brown was even more determined not to speak on the matter.
"Nothing on it today... tomorrow," he said tersely.
Like Cargill and Brown, Boxhill did not have much to say.
"The press release should suffice. If there is anything else to say then I will do so at a later date," he said.
FALLOUT
The JFF/Cargill fallout stemmed from the poor performance of Jamaica's Under-23 team at the CONCACAF final round Olympic qualifiers in Mexico early last month.
The Olympic squad was seen by many to have the best chance of any Jamaican football team to qualify for the prestigious event.
This was based on the fact that a number of the players eligible for selection had been to two successive World Youth Cups in 1999 and 2001.
The team failed to live up to expectations, losing all three matches played in the final round of the qualifiers in Guadalajara, Mexico. There they lost all matches, including to host country Mexico and Caribbean rivals Trinidad and Tobago, both of which they had qualified ahead of for the 2001 Under-20 World Cup.
