The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) and the Kingston and St Andrew Football Association (KSAFA) have reached an agreement regarding the branding of referees' uniforms, thus paving the way for the immediate resumption of all of the latter's competition's.

According to Dale Spencer, first vice-president of the JFF, a meeting was held with the executives of both associations at JFF offices yesterday, and in the best interest of the sport, an agreement was reached in accordance with a recent directive of his association.

emergency board meeting

Spencer, who chaired the meeting on behalf of JFF president Captain Horace Burrell and general manager, Horace Reid, who are both in Europe attending a FIFA Congress, also informed the media following the impromptu meeting that an emergency board meeting would soon be held to help bring closure to the matter.

"We had a very successful meeting with executives of both associations and have come to an understanding that will allow for the resumption of KSAFA competitions," Spencer explained.

The meeting came about after KSAFA president, Rudolf Speid, suspended all of its competitions due to what it described as a conflict of interest with a recent JFF directive.

The directive stated that all parish association referees, including KSAFA's, must wear Digicel-branded uniforms only, a directive which Speid said threatened the sponsorship of KSAFA's competitions from competing telecom company, Claro.

"We have reached an amicable agreement," was all that Speid would say after yesterday's meeting.

Meanwhile, Digicel, seeking to clarify its position on the dispute, issued a release via its corporate affairs manager, Jacqueline Burrell, and expressed hope that a resolution would be arrived at in the best interest of the sport.

pivotal role

"It is unfortunate that this conflict of interest has brought the game of football into disrepute. We recognise that football plays a pivotal role in strengthening the social and economic thread of Jamaica," the release read.

"Notwithstanding that, Digicel respects the stance that the JFF has taken to honour the terms and conditions of a legally binding contract that was signed between Digicel and the Referees Association of Jamaica in September 2008.

"At this point, resolution of this matter lies solely with the JFF and KSAFA. It is our hope, however, that a resolve can be reached as soon as possible in the interest of the sport and its positive impact on Jamaica and Jamaican lives," she added.

In September 2008, Digicel and the JFF signed a three-year sponsorship contract worth $6.5M. The provisions of this contract cover the training and development of referees, including the provision of uniforms and warm-up gear for all referees.