JC vows to cooperate as ISSA weighs sanctions over alleged use of ineligible player

Jamaica College has vowed to cooperate with the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) as the school braces for looming sanctions over its alleged use of a professional player.

In a release today, the many-time Manning and Walker Cups and Olivier Shield champions said the school was “reviewing the relevant information and will cooperate fully with the established process to ensure that all facts and circumstances are properly considered”.

ISSA is expected to address the matter by tomorrow during a meeting of its disciplinary committee.

READ: https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/sports/20261013/issa-decide-jamaica-college-sanctions-over-ineligible-player

The player in question, Jamone Lyle, is on a professional contract with Waterhouse Football Club, according to club president Donovan White.

Lyle is facing sanctions from the club for playing in the schoolboy league, which his contract reportedly forbids.

In addition, JC could face sanctions for breaching ISSA’s amateur rules, which bar professionals from all its competitions.

JC noted that it “takes these concerns seriously and respects the rules, procedures and integrity of competitions administered by ISSA” and also called for the player’s “privacy and well-being to be respected while the matter is being addressed.”

Lyle, who turned 17 in July, became one of the youngest players in a senior squad when he made his senior debut with the Reggae Boyz earlier this month in the CONCACAF Nations League.

JC said it remains committed to “fairness, accountability, sportsmanship and the development of young athletes, both on and off the field”.

“We believe it is important that the matter be addressed through the appropriate procedures and that any determination be based on the applicable regulations and the evidence presented,” the Old Hope Road-based institution insisted.

The complaint about the alleged use of an ineligible player, which RJRGleaner Sports understands was lodged by Mona High School, was submitted within the 48-hour period stipulated for reporting rule infringements.

The development followed JC’s 4-3 penalty shoot-out victory over Mona at Saturday’s rescheduled Walker Cup semi-final at Stadium East in St Andrew.

Under ISSA’s amateurism rule, which took effect on September 1, 2015, professional athletes are prohibited from participating in all competitions organised by the association.

The rule states that student-athletes must maintain their amateur status to remain eligible to compete in ISSA competitions, which are intended for students committed to their academic development.

It further outlines several circumstances that may result in a student-athlete losing amateur status, including receiving payment for competing, entering into an agreement with a sports agent, receiving financial incentives based on athletic ability, or being contracted to a professional team.

The rules also prohibit athletes from receiving benefits in exchange for transferring between member schools, including incentives provided to family members, as well as accepting prize money in breach of ISSA guidelines.

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