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Speid refutes relegation claims
April 25, 2023
Chairman of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) technical committee, Rudolph Speid, has refuted claims that no team will be relegated from the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) this season and that two more will be added to the league for next term.
Following Mount Pleasant's 7-0 victory over relegated Chapelton Maroons at the Ashenheim Stadium on Monday, word circulated that the latter would be keeping their place in the league after a high-level meeting between members of the JFF and Professional Football Jamaica Limited (PFJL).
Speid, however, insisted that the regulations governing the JPL have already been established and will be firmly abided by. He also noted that changes to those regulations will only be possible for the 2024-25 season.
"Two teams will come up from Tier Two, and two teams will be relegated from Tier One. That is what the regulations said, and that is what will happen," Speid told STAR Sports.
"If there are any changes, it will have to be in the 24-25 season. It could not be the 23-24 season."
He pointed out that no proposal has been lodged with the JFF regarding adding teams to the JPL, while the PFJL is already having difficulty supporting the two teams added to the 12 last season.
"I don't know what people are saying, but no proposal came for teams to be added and that will never happen.
"The PFJL wants a cut in the number of teams because they can't afford it, so nothing like that can happen until the 24-25 season.
"The JPL was promised two years without relegation, and this is the third year, so we are right on track, but Tier Two gets the same regulations this year, as there is no relegation for them this year, so I think that is what they are mixing up," he added.
Meanwhile, after their loss, Chapelton's assistant coach Nigel Stewart admitted hearing the rumours.
"I haven't heard myself. I heard it second-hand, but if such is the case, we have a good chance to represent next season.
"This is an opportunity to rebuild, and we got so many things wrong this season, so we cannot help ourselves but try to get it right next season.
"I haven't heard the news myself that no team will be relegated, but having that in the back of their minds would really motivate them (players) to lift their standard (for the remaining games)," he commented.
Chapelton and Faulkland, the two newcomers to the league, have already been relegated this season.
