Controversy in Jamaica: Players express their discontent over the possible arrival of Mason Greenwood
Jamaica’s national team players, Isaac Hayden and Amari’i Bell, have expressed their discontent at the possibility of Mason Greenwood joining the team before the World Cup. They consider it would be a “farce” and an “unfair” situation. Greenwood, who previously played for England, switched his allegiance to Jamaica earlier this year and received his passport in August, allowing him to represent his grandparents’ nation.Although the 24-year-old player was not called up for the World Cup qualifying matches against Trinidad and Tobago and Bermuda in September, and keeps his international options open, the president of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), Michael Ricketts, expressed his hope that Greenwood will represent the Reggae Boyz before the World Cup.
However, this situation might not be well-received by his Jamaican teammates, who have worked hard to bring the nation to the brink of the World Cup, with intercontinental playoffs against New Caledonia and, potentially, the Democratic Republic of Congo in March.
Greenwood was suspended by Manchester United in January 2022 due to accusations related to a young woman and faced charges including attempted rape and assault before the prosecution announced the interruption of the case in February 2023. Currently, he is rebuilding his career at Olympique de Marseille and leads the Ligue 1 goalscoring chart this season with 10 goals in 12 matches. Hayden admitted: “The quality of the player, his numbers, what he is producing, is of the highest level. But it comes down to principles and integrity. If players can simply show up because of a World Cup, it would make everything a farce. That would say a lot about the player and the organization for allowing that to happen.” Charlton defender Bell claimed that the late arrival of Greenwood, or any other player, such as Everton’s Dwight McNeil, would be “controversial”. Bell added that a group conversation would be necessary before any new player joined. “Definitely, especially when it comes to a World Cup. You want good vibes and good energy in the team. You wouldn’t want any distance between the players.” England coach Thomas Tuchel said in September that he had not spoken to Greenwood and made it clear that the Marseille striker was not on his mind.The JFF is obsessed with names and tries to recruit more players. They want to have the best team on the field, but I told the JFF: ‘If a player is not willing to commit to the final qualifying round, unless injured, I don’t see why they should join the group in March or at the end of the season if we qualify.’ There is no way that should be allowed.
Isaac Hayden
