Infantino’s Jamaica visit comes at important time, says Ricketts

PRESIDENT OF the Jamaica Football Federation, Michael Ricketts, says today’s visit by embattled FIFA president Gianni Infantino, in Jamaica to watch the Reggae Boyz take on Guatemala tonight at 7 p.m., comes at an important time as the FIFA boss seeks to rebuild trust with national federations.

Infantino’s visit follows global backlash over his now-abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal, which was intended to boost commercial revenue from FIFA competitions but was pulled amid criticism over the process behind it.

Ricketts revealed that Jamaica is just one stop on a wider Caribbean tour, with Infantino also visiting the British Virgin Islands, St Kitts and Nevis, and Antigua.

“He’s actually visiting, I think, four Caribbean countries ... he will arrive here at 4 p.m. today with a FIFA delegation of eight in total,” Ricketts told The Gleaner, adding that Infantino will head straight to the National Stadium for the Guatemala match before departing Jamaica on Saturday morning.

Ricketts revealed that Gelson Fernandez, who was recently appointed with responsibility for Africa and the Caribbean, will also be part of the travelling delegation.

Asked about calls from some footballing bodies for Infantino’s resignation, Ricketts stood firmly behind the FIFA president, insisting it was “absolutely necessary” for Infantino to reconnect with the football family, particularly across Concacaf.

He pointed to what he described as a strained relationship between Infantino and Concacaf president Victor Montagliani, calling it unfortunate given how much both men have done for football in the region.

On the abandoned FFE proposal, Ricketts was candid about its shortcomings but ultimately sympathetic to Infantino’s intentions.

“The process ... was not very transparent, hence he got push back from a number of countries but I think it was intended to help small countries. So I have forgiven him, and I’m never ever going to be ungrateful,” Ricketts added.

Ricketts made clear where his loyalties lie ahead of FIFA’s presidential elections in Morocco next March.

“I am a fan of Infantino. I’m also a fan of Montagliani, but I am going to stand up, raise my hand in support of Infantino, and just hope that when elections come around ... he is returned as FIFA president,” the JFF boss said.