Jamaica's Women's World Cup Team Takes Stand Against Mistreatment and Unpaid Dues – Refusing to Play Matches

Following a groundbreaking and record-breaking Womens World Cup, womens soccer finds itself in yet another detrimental crisis as the Jamaican players who made history refuse to participate in upcoming international matches for their country. Senior members of the 2023 World Cup squad, including captain Allyson Swaby and star striker Khadija Shaw, issued a statement on social media over the weekend, declaring their drastic decision to put an end to the constant mistreatment they have been subjected to by their national governing body.

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Cedella Marley (C bottom) is photographed with the Jamaican Women's football team 'Reggae Girlz' after a friendly football match between Jamaica and Panama at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica on May 19, 2019. - The spirit of Bob Marley is undeniably present in Jamaica: it saturates the Caribbean island nation, even extending to its football fields - a testament to the late reggae icon's deep love for the sport. Following Marley's passing, his children took up the mantle, and Cedella, his daughter, has played a pivotal role in the success of the country's women's team. This summer, they will compete in their very first World Cup in France, and owe much of their achievement to Cedella. (Photo by Angela Weiss / AFP)(Photo credit should read ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

Bob Marley instilled a love of soccer in his daughter, Cedella. Now shes changing the lives of women and girls in Jamaica

The World Cup squad members are still awaiting proper payment for their performances at the tournament. They have criticized the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) for its poor management. Moreover, the statement mentions that the JFF's communication has been unprofessional, noting that players found out about their new head coach, Xavier Gilbert, through social media, despite him previously serving as an assistant to former coach Lorne Donaldson.

"We have repeatedly encountered issues of inadequate communication, disorganized operations, ineffective management, and untimely payments by the JFF," stated "With Love, Your Reggae Girlz."

"In light of these recurring concerns, we stand together in solidarity, aiming to break free from this recurring cycle of mistreatment."

The JFF announced on its website that it has temporarily suspended the selection of the players involved until contractual matters are resolved. The statement expressed the JFF's discomfort with the players' response and the absence of their representatives at a planned meeting today.

The JFF is committed to resolving any concerns or grievances that team members may have as per their contracts. If there is an issue, it should be openly discussed and documented for the JFF to address.

Players from Jamaica's World Cup squad have refused to play the team's upcoming games.

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In addition to Jamaica, other teams in this year's World Cup have also clashed with their governing bodies. This tournament broke attendance records and gave rise to new stars and teams. The Spanish national team, victorious in the tournament for the first time, presented a unified front amidst a scandal that grabbed global attention. As a result, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) underwent significant changes after their former president, Luis Rubiales, kissed star player Jennifer Hermoso against her will during the medal ceremony.

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Allyson Swaby (third from right) of Jamaica celebrates with her teammates after scoring their team's opening goal in the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group F match against Panama at Perth Rectangular Stadium on July 29, 2023 in Perth, Australia. (Photo credit: Alex Grimm - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Jamaica makes history by beating Panama for first Womens World Cup win

Several members of Spain's World Cup-winning team had chosen to abstain from participating in subsequent matches as a means to enforce reforms within the governing body. Following intense backlash for his actions, Rubiales stepped down from his position, resulting in the dismissal of former head coach Jorge Vilda.

Since then, several players, Hermoso included, have decided to once again resume representing their country.

Jamaica created history in the World Cup by becoming the first Caribbean nation to advance to the knockout stage of the tournament. The team is scheduled to compete against Panama on October 25 and Guatemala on October 29 in Concacaf Gold Cup qualifying matches.

The JFF announced a squad lacking experience for their upcoming fixtures on Saturday, with several key players missing.

According to the Jamaica Gleaner, only six out of the 23 players selected for the two matches have prior experience representing the national team at the senior level.

CNN has contacted FIFA, the governing body for world soccer, for a statement, but has not received a response.

The players' statement expressed that although it was a difficult decision, they believed it was necessary to take such a drastic stance in order to stop the ongoing mistreatment they faced from the Jamaica Football Federation.

"We are still awaiting complete and accurate payments for our past World Cup performances as well as the numerous overdue bonuses for our qualification in the upcoming 2022 summer tournament," stated the message.

Jamaica eventually lost to Colombia in the last 16 of the Women's World Cup.

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FIFA made an announcement in June stating that, for the very first time, roughly $49 million out of the record-breaking $110 million prize money for the Women's World Cup would be distributed directly to individual players. Each player who participated would receive a minimum of $30,000, while those on the victorious team would be awarded $270,000 each.

A long battle

Jamaica's women's team has long struggled for improved funding and working conditions. Despite being disbanded in both 2008 and 2016 due to insufficient finances, the team defied all odds and secured its maiden qualification for the World Cup in 2019, thanks to the assistance of Cedella Marley - Bob Marley's daughter - who provided crucial funding.

Prior to the upcoming World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, a significant number of the main squad members penned an open letter to the JFF, expressing profound disappointment in the substandard conditions experienced during their preparations for the tournament. The JFF, in a statement on their official website, acknowledged the imperfections in their handling of the situation.

Despite issues off the field, Jamaicas players once again defied expectations this year by making it through a World Cup group that contained France, Brazil and Panama on their way to making history.