Ainsley Walters, Freelance Reporter

Reggae Boyz technical director René Simoes (left) with Jamaica Football Federation general secretary Horace Reid, at last Wednesday's friendly international against Trinidad and Tobago at the National Stadium. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer.

HOWARD McIntosh, a director of Portmore United, on Sunday dismissed claims that the national squad was being unjustly filled with players from his club, which, for years, was being managed by Horace Reid, general secretary of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF).

Reid has been in charge of the team on and off, even before it was rebranded as Portmore United, changing its name from Hazard of Clarendon.

Reid relinquished his post at the club during his stints as JFF general secretary, a claim, which pundits have questioned, now linking him to the number of Portmore players summoned among a local-based squad, which toured Brazil and took part in last Wednesday's drawn friendly international against Trinidad and Tobago.

Defending the integrity of technical director René Simoes, McIntosh, on Sunday, said the Brazilian's track record showed that he was responsible, fair and would not jeopardise his job by being partial to one club, due to its connections with Reid.

The Reggae Boyz were leading Trinidad and Tobago 2-0 at half-time last Wednesday but conceded two goals after Simoes brought on three substitutes, all from Portmore, after starting the game with two other players from the club.

This led to claims, which McIntosh has ridiculed, that the national team is being 'Portmore-ised' for the purpose of exposing, to obtain overseas contracts for Portmore players.

"I have heard the comments but I am not sure what the basis is as it relates to the question of players obtaining contracts," McIntosh said.

"I think the coach has outlined the fact that he is in the process of putting together his final squad. The truth is that a number of persons pick players for the team including national coordinators and assistant coaches.

"At the end of the day, the technical director has the final call. We will have to give a lot of credit to the coach. Either believe in what he is doing or not.

"I base things on track record ,and we will have to have a firm belief in what he's doing," said the Portmore director.

Insufficient matches

McIntosh

During the previous JFF administration, Harbour View had at least six players called to the national squad but the issue was not illuminated, mainly because the team was not playing sufficient friendly internationals to clock national playing time.

Simoes, in a letter to the press, responded to the allegations:

"It would be a lost opportunity if I don't address you on another problem that has become a point of discussion in our football fraternity," his letter read in part.

"It is being said that Portmore players are the favourites of the national programme, because Mr Reid, the general secretary and others have voice on team selection.

"First of all, let me make it abundantly clear that the day that happens, I will not be here any more. Please take my word on that and charge me anytime.

"Secondly, in 1994 through to 1996, the country complained that the national team belonged to the west. That time we had Theodore Whitmore, 'Shorty' (Stephen) Malcom, 'Tegat' (Paul) Davis, Donovan Ricketts, Durrent Brown, Hector Wright, Winston Anglin, Warren Barrett, Anthony 'Terminator' Dennis and others.

"At that time the focus was on Seba, Wadadah and Violet Kickers. The answer I gave then was that they had the best players and I will invite them."

Simoes went on to point out that Harbour View and Portmore United had the same number of players invited for February's friendly match against Costa Rica, and Waterhouse had one less player than Portmore invited to the Brazil training camp.

Simoes made further comparisons with the great Brazilian 1970 World Cup team, which had six players from Botafogo and five from Santos, including Pele, before ending:

"I will not change my way to do things because there is a perception for this or for that. My way is just one and I will follow it."