LeVaughn Flynn, Staff Reporter

Boxill and Burrel - File Photos

Former general secretary of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), Horace Reid, has challenged the reason put forward by JFF president Crenston Boxhill for not seeking re-election at the next voting congress, that will be held on November 4, 2007, in Hanover.

Late Thursday evening, Boxhill cited the division in the football fraternity and the constant undermining of his administration by Captain Horace Burrell as his reasons for stepping down.

Boxhill said he also felt the voting process would be "compromised" because of the "sponsorship of the majority of the parish associations by one of the candidates", referring to Burrell.

However, Reid contends that Boxhill is stepping down because he does not have enough support among the delegates.

The rules state that at least three parish football associations must nominate each candidate.

But in a statement released to the media yesterday, Reid declared: "Within 48 hours of the opening of nominations (on Tuesday), 11 of the 13 parish associations nominated Captain Horace Burrell for the position of president of the JFF."

Reid added: "Obviously, with 11 of the 13 nominating Captain Burrell, Mr. Boxhill would have had a real difficulty gaining nomination for the post of president," added Reid.

The statements by Reid could not be confirmed as Boxhill is off the island and general secretary Burchell Gibson was indirect in his response when questioned by The Gleaner.

Gibson said Reid's claim that 11 parish associations had nominated Captain Burrell by Thursday evening is misleading.

He, however, would not reply when asked how many parish associations had nominated Captain Burrell.

REBUTTED

In his media release, Reid rebutted Boxhill's statement about Burrell's sponsorship by pointing out that the Captain's Bakery sponsors the major league competition of only six parish associations.

"Included in the 11 (that nominated Burrell) are St. Elizabeth, St. Catherine, Hanover and Trelawny. These four parish associations are notsponsored by the Captain's Bakery Ltd.," Reid noted.

He also said the lack of faith the parishes have in Boxhill is emphasised by him failing to secure the vote of Trelawny, which is run by Linnell McLean, first vice-president of the JFF.

Portland and Kingston and St. Andrew are the associations yet to nominate a president and they have up to September 5.

PLANS

Last Friday, Boxhill was quoted in The Gleaner as saying: "I have given a lot of thought to it (election), as to what exactly my plans are as it relates to the strategies and all of that. As time unfolds my plans will unfold also."

This, Reid says, is proof Boxhill was contemplating contesting the election but stepped down when he realised he had no support.

"Mr. Boxhill has been handed a major rejection by the football fraternity and any suggestion to the contrary is nothing but a smokescreen away from the real issues surrounding his stewardship of Jamaica's football over the past four years," he said.