Greenwood facing backlash from Reggae Boyz - Hayden, Bell say call-up would be ‘unfair’

Reggae Boyz Isaac Hayden and Amari'i Bell have spoken out against the Jamaica Football Federation's (JFF) ambitions of calling up ousted England striker Mason Greenwood for FIFA's Intercontinental Play-offs in March next year.

In a report by The Athletic, Hayden and Bell said it would be unfair to the players who have worked hard throughout the Concacaf World Cup Qualifiers to see Greenwood welcomed to the national team.

Both players have questioned Greenwood's commitment to Jamaica, stating if he was ready to represent, he would have taken part throughout the qualifiers.

Greenwood, a long-term target for Jamaica, obtained his Jamaican passport and was cleared for international duty ahead of the final round of qualifiers.

Former Reggae Boyz head coach Steve McClaren explained, however, that Greenwood had declined a call-up as he was not yet ready to commit his international future to Jamaica.

Greenwood, born in England, made a single appearance for the Three Lions in 2020 before his fall from grace.

In 2022, the striker was arrested and charged for a matter involving his long-time girlfriend with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The charges were dropped a year later, but Greenwood has not been able to regain his spot in England's set-up.

Hayden said if Greenwood was unwilling to represent throughout the final round of the qualifiers, then he should not be in consideration for the intercontinental play-offs, and, should they qualify, the World Cup.

Hayden, who was also a long-term target for Jamaica, made his debut last year and said he faced criticism about his commitment to the team.

A year later, the midfielder believes he has long since proven his passion and accused the JFF of being obsessed with players' names, rather than their commitment.

"I've only played for Jamaica for a year, and there was some resistance to me when I started. But I have played 12 games, and everyone can see my passion and the way I play the game," Hayden said.

"I give everything on the pitch, and I wanted to be there to help Jamaica progress to the World Cup.

"[The JFF] are obsessed with names and trying to recruit more players. They want to have the best team on the pitch, but I said it to the JFF, 'If a player is not willing to commit for the last round of qualifying, unless they're injured, I do not see why they should be joining the group in March or at the end of the season if we qualify.'"

PRINCIPLE AND INTEGRITY

Hayden's comments were echoed by his international teammate, Bell.

Bell said it would be unfair for Greenwood to be added to the team just as they are on the brink of qualifying for the World Cup.

The defender made his international debut in 2021, and has been a mainstay in the national programme since.

Bell said a number of the players in the squad have worked tirelessly for years to reach this point, and believes they should be consulted before any new player can be added to the squad.

He believes that should Jamaica advance to the World Cup, Greenwood's inclusion, and any other, could prove a bad addition to the team's cohesion.

"Many of us, for years, have put our blood, sweat and tears into playing for the nation, with a lot of things happening in the background," Bell said.

"We've had to deal with all that. It wouldn't seem fair to people who have been through that whole process and will never get another chance to play at a World Cup. It's a bit controversial."

He continued, "You want good vibes and good energy around the squad. You wouldn't want any distance between any players."

Jamaica will compete in the intercontinental play-offs after failing to automatically qualify to the 2025 FIFA World Cup, after finishing second in Group B of the World Cup Qualifiers.

Jamaica will face New Caledonia in the their first game of the play-offs, and should they win, will meet DR Congo for a spot in the World Cup.

The team is hunting their second-ever appearance at the World Cup, following the nation's debut in France 1998.

gregory.bryce

@gleanerjm.com