Howard Walker, Staff Reporter
PRENDERGAST
TOP JAMAICAN referee Peter Prendergast will be returning home from Germany after he failed a fitness medical examination to participate in the 2006 World Cup set to start on June 9.
Prendergast's two assistants, Anthony Garwood of Jamaica and Joseph Taylor of Trinidad and Tobago, will also be returning home from the referees' 2006 FIFA World Cup headquarters, the Kempinski Hotel Gravenbruch in Frankfurt/
Neu-Isenburg.
According to Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) website, "in-depth medical examinations have confirmed that the Jamaican (Prendergast) will not be able to take charge of any matches during the 2006 FIFA World Cup".
A distraught Prendergast, told The Gleaner that words cannot explain his disappointment.
"It's unimaginable. It's difficult to express in words," he said.
"I am 42 and after so long as an athlete I have never had any major injury until now. This is my first major injury," said Prendergast, who represented St. George's College in Manning Cup and Harbour View Football Club at the senior level.
According to Prendergast, he ruptured his meniscus during the fitness examination.
A meniscus tear is a torn cartilage in the knee and treatment sometimes require surgery. Often there is a clicking in the knee when the meniscus is torn.
"I did not do anything wrong, it was just the wear and tear of my body," said Prendergast.
Prendergast was one of 21 referees listed by FIFA to officiate in the month-long tournament, being offered with approximately J$4m (US$60,000).
It is a big loss for Jamaica on the global stage as the World Cup, held every four years, is the single largest sporting event.
Charlie Barrett, chairman of the Jamaica Referees Association (JRA), said yesterday (Monday) was the saddest day in his footballing life.
"I am very sad. It's a big blow to the referees, especially the other two who were going to the World Cup for the first time. It's a big blow for Jamaica. Today is one of my saddest day of my life in football," said Barrett.
"I spoke to 'Prendy' and he was sad. It was one of those things. I spoke to Garwood and he took it hard also.
"They knew from before that if one man of the team is injured then everybody would come home," Barrett told The Gleaner yesterday.
"It is an injury that he was carrying for a little while. But it was OK and he had planned to do the operation after the World Cup," noted Barrett.
According to Barrett, the injury came to light again after the Trinidad versus Peru game and it was swollen, "but he went to the doctor and everything was all right".
Over the years FIFA allowed the referees to work together in their Confederation in an effort to cut down less controversy and develop an understanding.
Prendergast, Garwood and Taylor had been working together locally for a while in that aspect and of such the entire team will be replaced at the World Cup.
On the 31st May, the 21 referees and 42 assistant referees who will be in action in Germany will be joined by the support and development group (five referees and 10 assistant referees) for a final fitness test, which will be conducted in Frankfurt/Neu-Isenburg.
