Simply over three months after saying a hiatus from the Jamaica nationwide crew, Aston Villa star Leon Bailey has been surprisingly included within the Reggae Boyz 26-man roster for the upcoming Copa America match.
This inclusion has led to widespread hypothesis about his return to the pitch. Nonetheless, Bailey’s agent Craig Butler and the participant himself have added layers of uncertainty to the scenario.
In March, Bailey cited a number of causes for his break from worldwide duties, together with the Jamaica Soccer Federation’s (JFF) refusal to cowl flight prices. His sudden inclusion within the squad for Copa America prompted many to consider in a possible comeback. Nonetheless, the participant’s camp has instructed in any other case.
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Butler addressed the scenario on Instagram, stating that the Villa winger is prioritizing a “psychological well being break” to spend time along with his household this summer time slightly than collaborating within the prestigious match along with his nationwide crew. Bailey additionally posted a cryptic message on social media, writing “deceptive info,” which has since been deleted.
His response got here shortly after the JFF introduced the crew throughout a stay broadcast on Wednesday evening, which noticed Dujuan Richards’ identify seem on graphics, although the participant was not included within the squad, which has promted many to consider it was an untidy manufacturing.
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“Leon Bailey has said that he’s taking a break from the Jamaica nationwide crew for his psychological well being and to spend time along with his household. His place has not modified,” Butler wrote. “We kindly ask that you simply respect his needs at the moment. Posts made on social media which are surfacing at the moment is a misrepresentation of his place. We want the Reggae Boyz nicely within the Copa America competitors and he, alongside along with his administration crew, will proceed to assist the Jamaica Nationwide Crew in any respect ranges … change should come…Respect and One Love for all.”
What’s subsequent for Jamaica?
The Reggae Boyz are set to start their Copa America journey with a match in opposition to Mexico on Saturday, June 22. This shall be adopted by a contest in opposition to Ecuador on June 26, and they’re going to spherical out the group stage on June 30 in opposition to Venezuela. Solely the highest two groups from the group will advance to the knockout levels.
Along with Bailey, the squad options a number of notable gamers, together with captain Andre Blake, who’s recovering from surgical procedure and is hoped to take part later within the match. Different key inclusions are winger Demarai Grey and Brentford defender Ethan Pinnock.
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Jamaica’s Copa America Squad: Goalkeepers – Andre Blake, Coniah Boyce-Clarke, Jahmali Waite, Shaquan Davis. Defenders – Amari’i Bell, Damion Lowe, Dexter Lembikisa, Di’Shon Bernard, Ethan Pinnock, Greg Leigh, Michael Hector, Jon Bell, Richard King, Wesley Harding. Midfielders – Alex Marshall, Bobby Reid, Joel Latibeaudiere, Karoy Anderson, Kasey Palmer, Kevon Lambert. Forwards – Demarai Grey, Kaheim Dixon, Michail Antonio, Renaldo Cephas, Shamar Nicholson, Leon Bailey.
Bailey has not performed for Jamaica since final November in opposition to Canada. IN March he was suspended by head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson for breaking curfew in the course of the CONCACAF Nations League final 12 months. Following his suspension, Bailey introduced his break from the nationwide crew, citing private and logistical causes.
International embarrassment
Because the Reggae Boyz put together for Copa America, the inclusion of Leon Bailey stays a contentious concern. Along with his agent’s and his personal statements suggesting he may not play, it stays to be seen whether or not the Aston Villa star will certainly take to the sphere or proceed his hiatus for psychological well being and household causes.
A unexpectedly organized video revealed on Thursday, mere hours after the announcement of the squad, noticed the Hallgrimsson attempting to elucidate the rationale behind naming Bailey, Blake and Bell on the roster.
He claims that the inclusion was the trio was extra for crew assist than for taking part in time, particularly with Blake and Bell simply coming off accidents.
Having not executed so when it was most acceptable on Wednesday evening, the coach’s belated clarification was considered by many as an try to melt the backlash from the worldwide embarrassment brought on by the participant’s rejection of the invite, and moreso, the participant’s camp’s insistence that the participant had by no means given his dedication to enjoying at this match.
