Be part of the National selection It is one of the dreams of every footballer. Representing the country in an international competition is an opportunity to go down in history and form part of the fame of world football.
However, conflicts often arise between the federations and the footballers who seek better conditions for the selected players. This is the case of Leon Bailey, Jamaican winger who plays for Aston Villa in the Premier League.
Bailey, star of his country, will not play for the Jamaican team in the Copa América because he is in conflict with his country’s Federation demanding better conditions for the players. Reggae Boyz.
Bailey’s statements
When the squad list came out, the winger’s absence was justified by saying that he was not available. However, Bailey spoke for the podcast Let’s Be Honest and gave his version of what happened. There, he referred to the situation of the team and the federation. “It’s not professional at all to play in Jamaica. A lot of people don’t know that most of the time I book my own flights to come represent Jamaica because they’re not very professional,” he said.
Leon Bailey is not in Jamaica’s squad for World Cup qualification matches against the Dominican Republic on June 6 & Dominica on June 9 after March’s dispute about indiscipline at a previous camp.
Local reports say he won’t be at the Copa América either. pic.twitter.com/N2gBHvMOBq
— Jon Arnold (@ArnoldcommaJon) May 31, 2024
Among other things, the lack of professionalism that Bailey argues on the part of the Jamaican federation is also supported by not receiving pay for his appearances in the national team. “I don’t remember the last time I received a single dollar from the Federation,” declared the Aston Villa striker.
Furthermore, in his severe confession he was harsh with the clothing and training elements and criticized the seriousness of the calls. “When I say there is no professionalism, I mean that there is not even adequate sports equipment. When you arrive at the sports center the only thing they give you is a t-shirt. On game day they force you to wear a women’s shirt. This is ridiculous. When I go there I feel like they don’t really know what they have to do.”
Bailey’s adds to the absence of figures such as Demarai Gray, player of Everton who is currently going through a clavicle fracture.
Jamaica is in group B of the Copa América along with Mexico, Ecuador and Venezuela. The Caribbean team will debut on June 22 against Mexico.
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