JFF President Hints at Demarai Gray Joining The Reggae Boyz For Gold Cup
The President of the Jamaica Football Federation, Michael Ricketts, has hinted that Everton winger Demarai Gray is close to becoming a part of the Jamaican national football team.
Ricketts has stated that the Head Coach, Heimir Hallgrimsson , is a fan of the player who has been on the federation’s radar for the past few years. Gray was among several English players who were reportedly in the process of acquiring their Jamaican passports in March 2021.
The federation had hoped that he would be able to join the national programme in time for the qualification matches for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, but that did not happen.
Ricketts has now stated that things are moving in a positive direction for Gray’s inclusion in the team, without revealing too much information due to the player’s parents’ request for privacy. He has also said that the coach is working hard to ensure Gray’s involvement in the national programme.
The Jamaica national football team is set to participate in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, starting in June, and Ricketts has revealed that Gray could potentially be part of the squad if everything goes according to plan.
Hallgrimsson has reportedly already identified players he would like to include in the team for the Gold Cup, including some new players based overseas.
The coach is currently in England meeting with a number of players whom he would like to be part of the rebuilding of the Reggae Boyz squad.
The JFF has also enlisted Simon Preston, a former sports anchor at Television Jamaica (TVJ), to work closely with Hallgrimsson to identify young overseas-based players who could potentially join the national team.
Ricketts has expressed the coach’s excitement about the upcoming tournament, with the coach reportedly convinced about the nucleus of his team after the Mexico game in March.
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