JC's Walker Cup dreams crushed as they loose appeal

Jamaica College’s hopes of lifting the Walker Cup have been crushed once again, with ISSA rejecting the school’s appeal and sealing its disqualification from today’s final, while also ruling the team out of next year’s competition.

The issue arose after teenager Jamone Lyle represented JC in one Manning Cup game and the Walker Cup semi-final, after signing a professional contract with Waterhouse Football Club, in breach of ISSA’s amateurism rule.

JC lodged the appeal seeking to have the many time school boy football champions reinstalled in the final.

In siding with its disciplinary committee, ISSA Executive Committee, led by President Keith Wellington, noted that the sanctions fit the infractions as set out by its rules.

JC had pointed out in their appeal that they could not have known that the player was a professional, but ISSA disagreed, insisting that the onus was on JC to make themselves aware.

“However, the committee notes Jamone's antecedents this season in respect to his engagement with the various national teams, as well as his participation in the Jamaica Premier League competition, provided ample reason for Jamaica College to ascertain his status in order to ensure compliance with ISSA's established amateurism rules.   The committee therefore upholds the ruling.”

Professional football contracts in Jamaica are lodged with world governing body FIFA, through the local governing body, the Jamaica Football Federation.

The Executive Committee also advised JC that they were within their rights to appeal its ruling to ISSA’s Appeals Board in writing, clearly outlining the specific ruling they were appealing and the basis on which the appeal is being made.

The appeal would then be heard in person with the school having the right to legal representation.

The Appeals Board’s decision is however binding as ISSA member schools are prohibited from taking the association or its representatives to court.  

Today’s Walker Cup final will go ahead as scheduled at Stadium East at 4pm between Kingston College and Mona High, which JC had defeated in the controversial semi-final, after ISSA advanced them to the final following JC’s expulsion.

They have also been suspended from contesting next year’s Walker Cup competition.

Lyle cannot compete in ISSA run competitions this season but can compete next season once he relinquishes his professional status.

JC also lost the three points they gained against St. Catherine High in the Manning Cup encounter, in which Lyle played.

However their participation in the rest of that competition have not been affected.

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