Orville Powell still battling for football

Though falling in his bid to secure enough support to make him a nominee for the post of president of the Jamaica Football Federation and unseat current president Captain Horace Burrell, Orville Powell said he is not disappointed, but proud.

"I feel a sense of pride because what I did was justified, based on facts; and if you remove the personalities involved, you will realise it is nothing personal," Powell said.

"I made myself available, and the delegates rejected it. Now they will have to continue dealing with the Captain and his ideas," he said.

Powell, who was seeking to remove the long-serving Burrell from the JFF's top job, failed to convince the various parish associations to lend him their support, with only St Ann standing by his side, the result of which leaves Burrell in the position for another term.

All the parishes that make up the Western Confederation (St James, Westmoreland, Trelawny, and Hanover) did not support Powell's bid before last week Thursday's nomination day closed.

Powell still believes the process needs to change. He said whether or not he is president is irrelevant, because if the Captain (Burrell) can effect the change, he should do it; and if he can't, then someone must come forward to lead," added Powell.

He said Captain Burrell, through his Captain's Bakery's blanket sponsorship of several of the island's parish leagues, has insulated him against any such realistic challenge, and that it was unethical, to say the least.

"I am saying this also, that if you refer to the FIFA Codes of Ethics, one can draw every interpretation of that fact. We are so guided by FIFA, and my interpretation of his business playing such a role in the football, irrespective of what people may say, is ethically wrong," said Powell.

"All I want to do is put out there all the facts. I have put out some, and other stuff said are clearly my opinion, and I will not stop. If Burrell wants me to stop, then the issues raised must be put squarely on the table, itemised and addressed," said Powell.