Latest update December 4th, 2024 2:40 AM
Schaefer, two players sactioned by FIFA
(L) LAING… charged for using offensive language and gestures. (R) EDWARDS… claims he’s unaware of any reason for his ejection.
Schaefer, Laing, Edwards fined US$5,150 each by FIFA
Jamaica Observer – FOOTBALL’S world governing body, FIFA, Tuesday announced disciplinary action taken against Reggae Boyz Head Coach Winfried Schaefer and players Lance Laing and Upston Edwards, but the matter is not yet closed. That’s according to the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) General Secretary Raymond Grant.
Schaefer was charged for unsporting behaviour against a match official in the CONCACAF Third Round World Cup Qualifying game against Nicaragua in Managua on September 8, and was suspended for two games — Jamaica vs Panama at the National Stadium on November 13, 2015, and Haiti vs Jamaica in Haiti on November 17, 2015. He was fined US$5,150.
Meanwhile, Laing, a 56th minute substitute in the game, and Edwards, an unused player, were charged for using offensive language and gestures against a match official in the said game, and were suspended for four games — Jamaica vs Panama at the National Stadium on November 13, 2015, and Haiti vs Jamaica in Haiti on November 17, 2015, Jamaica vs Costa Rica at the National Stadium on March 25, 2016, and Costa Rica vs Jamaica in Costa Rica on March 29, 2016.
They were fined US$5,150 each. “No, it’s not a done deal,” Grant told the Jamaica Observer last evening. “FIFA formally advised us a few days ago that they were opening disciplinary hearing against the three,” added Grant, “so we weren’t caught by surprise”.
Grant explained that the FIFA disciplinary committee would have acted upon the reports of the match commissioner and referees of the particular game, under the playing regulations. And upon formally advising the local governing body (JFF), then the accused individuals could submit evidence in their defence.
He said that to the best of his knowledge, none of the players has so far submitted a defence, and he wasn’t in a position to speak to how Schaefer would handle his case. If Schaefer doesn’t appeal, then he will not be able to visit the technical areas during the two World Cup Qualifying games on November 13, and 17, though he would be eligible to prepare the team leading into the games.
“We just got it (judgement) today and we have not yet made a decision one way or the other on how to proceed,” added Grant, who noted that it was the JFF that issued a release on the FIFA disciplinary actions.
Grant suggested that the accused parties could have up to 30 days to appeal the FIFA judgement, no doubt after careful cost/benefit analysis.
Laing and Edwards were red-carded by Guatemalan referee Oscar Reyna in the 90th+ minute, shortly after Simon Dawkins had scored Jamaica’s second and winning goal in the 89th minute to give the Caribbean champions the 2-0 margin which was enough to take the two-legged tie 4-3 on aggregate after losing 2-3 at home.
At the time Laing had claimed that during the wild celebrations by his teammates, including those on the bench, the first assistant referee had pushed him to get back on the field and he “said something” to him.
The assistant referee invited Reyna over to the touchline for a brief discussion, after which Laing was ejected. This action appeared to have infuriated the Jamaican contingent, which resulted in further arguing with the officials. The referee then proceeded to the Jamaican bench to issue another red card to Edwards. He claims to be unaware of any reason for the ejection.
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