President of the St James Football Association, Orville Powell.

Western Bureau

The teams, match officials, sponsors and a large crowd of expectant fans were present at the Lion's Den in Irwin, St James, for the scheduled start of the 2009 Spoon Auto Supply-sponsored Steve Bucknor Western Masters Football League, but not a ball was kicked.

The unusual turn of events was as a result of a decision taken by St James Football Association president, Orville Powell, whose club Seba United owns the facility, not to allow the game to be played because certain requirements were not met.

no permission

"I am the only person who can grant permission for the use of the facility and I never did," said Powell.

"In addition, I could not have granted permission because the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) has mandated all parish associations not to allow competitions like this to start before the month of May," he added.

However, Craig Oates, the chairman of the league's steering committee, has described the action as unwarranted. According to him, when he sought and got permission to use the facility through Lilli-Mae Crawford, the competition's director for St James Football, no such concerns were raised.

"We have never had a situation like this before," said Oates, a popular sports writer in western Jamaica. "I can't help but wonder if this action is directed at me because I have been critical of the St James FA in some of my recent articles."

However, in further defending his actions, the FA boss, who is also chairman of the JFF Western Confederation, said had the competition's organisers done the proper thing, and informed the FA about their plans, the situation could have been addressed before the games were scheduled.

outlined directive

"Had they done the right thing by having dialogue with the football board, we would have outlined the JFF directive to them," said Powell.

"I want to make it clear that the FA will not sanction any competition that falls outside the window mandated by the JFF."

While not slighting Powell's position, Oates said it was the business of the FA to inform affiliates when changes are made by the JFF, as failure to do so would cause affiliates to follow the previous procedures.

"We are not into seeking confrontation because our desire is also to serve the best interest of football," said Oates. "Now that Powell has outlined the JFF's position, we will be meeting with the affiliates with a view to making a decision about the future of this competition," he added.