Two members of the Jamaica women’s national soccer team have contradicted the claims made by the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) in October, stating that several players have not received their full 2023 World Cup payments.
In an interview with Jamaican TV station SportsMax last Friday, Jamaica’s Captain, forward Khadija “Bunny” Shaw and goalkeeper Rebecca Spencer disclosed that some of the Reggae Girlz were still awaiting payments from the JFF.
Spencer remarked, “I can say that we haven’t [been fully compensated], even up until now. I think that a number of players are missing payments dating back to February.”
Statement contradicts a press release issued by the JFF
Spencer’s statement contradicts a press release issued by the JFF on October 27, where the federation asserted that it had completely paid its World Cup team. Jamaica’s historic World Cup journey included several firsts for the team, including their first point, first win, and first appearance in the knockout, Round of 16 stage.
The JFF stated in its release then, “The Jamaica Football Federation is pleased to advise that, as committed, we have now paid in full balances due to the Women’s World Cup Team. We will also start processing payments to all players who played in the qualifying rounds but were not in the final World Cup squad.”
Jamaican players have previously voiced their concerns about the JFF, citing poor communication, inadequate support, and insufficient compensation for their efforts, among other issues.
JFF claimed to have paid the ‘full balances’
On June 15, many Reggae Girlz, including Spencer, posted a letter on social media outlining their grievances against the JFF. The letter stated, “On multiple occasions, we have sat down with the federation to respectfully express concerns resulting from subpar planning, transportation, accommodations, training conditions, compensation, communication, nutrition, and accessibility to proper resources. We have also showed up repeatedly without receiving contractually agreed-upon compensation. We were told that all our requests and concerns would be resolved in a timely manner.”
However, more than a month after the JFF claimed to have paid the “full balances” owed to the Reggae Girlz, players assert that this is not the case.
Shaw expressed her disappointment, saying, “I think it’s just very unfortunate because it’s not even about the money. I think it’s about having good communication.”
Spencer believes that the breakdown in communication could be at the core of the issues between the JFF and the women’s national team. She emphasized, “I think as a group of players that we deserve honesty and respect in every aspect. When you’re left with no communication for months or weeks about what’s happening, it makes it really difficult for a group of players to want to show up and to want to keep going through this each and every time if nothing ever changes. We’re sitting here on this, and we speak the truth, and we just wish that they could do the same in return.”
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