By Daraine Luton, Freelance WriterTHOUGH THE JFF is still to release a squad for Wednesday's big World Cup qualifier against the United States at the National Stadium, from all indications it appears that midfielder Micah Hyde has been given a reprieve.
"Hyde is in...that is what Mr. Boxhill said to me," JFF Press Officer Earl Bailey said yesterday when The Gleaner enquired about the composition of Jamaica's squad.
Hyde had ominous clouds hanging over his future as a Reggae Boy after failing to report for Jamaica's second leg tie against Haiti following his release by the JFF to conduct personal business.
Disgusted with Hyde's behaviour, JFF President Crenston Boxhill promised strong disciplinary action if the player could not provide an acceptable explanation for his absence.
"I have not been able to sit down with the player yet, but if what I am hearing is true, that he went to Florida on holidays, it would be very difficult for me to agree with him playing for Jamaica again as long as I am President.
"That kind of behaviour is tantamount to treason - abandoning your country in the middle of war. There is always space and room in one's heart for understanding and forgiveness but this would be very difficult," Boxhill said in a story published by The Gleaner on June 22.
REASONS FOR ABSENCE
But Tuesday Hyde, in a letter to the JFF, outlined the reasons for his absence, reasons that contained enough substance to convince Boxhill to forgive him.
While Hyde is expected in the island on Sunday along with Technical Director Carl Brown, head coach Sebastiao Lazaroni and several other overseas-based players, MLS full back Craig Zaidie will not make the trip. The hard working right back who many says stands out because he does the simple things often enough has been sidelined by an injury to his quad muscles.
Meanwhile, the composition of the squad was not available at press time yesterday. Neither the team manager Howard Bell nor Bailey knew the squad but the latter indicated that it should not deviate much from that which played Haiti in June.
"It has not been released yet but I don't think it should change much," Bailey said.
Despite this, at least one new face is expected in the Jamaican squad when it is named, Charlton Athletic's Jason Euell. The former England Under-21 striker indicated his willingness to shift allegiance and play his football for his father's birthplace.
It is also expected that Darryl Powell, the man who was red carded just before half-time in the 1998 0-5 World Cup loss to Argentina, will be recalled.
