( l - r ) Barry Watson, George Forbes - file photos

The Manchester/Marcus Garvey quarter-final group matchup originally set for Drax Hall tomorrow has now been switched to the Prison Oval in Spanish Town.

The decision taken by the Inter-Secondary School Sports Association (ISSA) is the latest development since news broke Wednesday evening that the Garvey Maceo team bus, as well as another carrying spectators were attacked, allegedly by fans from Marcus Garvey as both vehicles left the ground.

According to reports obtained from Star Sports via an interview with team coach Jeffrey Hewitt, at least one Garvey Maceo student was hurt when a stone was thrown inside the bus carrying students, as it left Drax Hall where the game was played.

Garvey Maceo had won the game 3-1 to severely dent that school's chance of making the semi-finals. There were no suggestions from Hewitt of any acts of intimidation from spectators of the home team.

However, ISSA, through its competition director, George Forbes, explained the reason for the change.

"We felt it was prudent to change the venue to warn and punish the Marcus Garvey supporters. It was their home game so they have to take responsibility for what happened. We have to send a message to them that they will lose that advantage because of their actions."

Forbes suggested that further action will be taken.

"The matter has been referred to the disciplinary committee, we had to move expeditiously but in the interim we have decided to change the venue."

tough experiences

Manchester's coach, Barry Watson, admitted he has had tough experiences playing in the past at that venue in the capacity of Mile Gully coach against Brazil and Black Stars in the National A League. However, he declined to speak on the matter officially for fear of smearing his players psychologically.

One senior official close to the team said, in light of what transpired after the game on Wednesday, ISSA should not downplay the implications regardless of what security measures are in place at the game venue.

"These are not ordinary times, so ISSA can't merely say the incident did not happen during the match," the official disclosed to The Weekend Star on the condition of anonymity. He was also keen to send a message to the Marcus Garvey supporters.