Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter
DaMarcus Beasley (right) of the US shoots the ball past Jamaica's goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts (left) to score his second goal in their CONCACAF Gold Cup quarter-final in Foxboro, Massachusetts yesterday. The US won 3-1 to eliminate the Reggae Boyz from the event. - REUTERS
JAMAICA'S NATIONAL goalkeeper, Donovan Ricketts, may have to wait for a while before donning the jersey of his English League first division team, Bradford City, as he has not attained the required quota of international games to qualify for a work permit.
Following Jamaica's semi-final exit from the Gold Cup on Saturday, Ricketts was left below the 75 per cent participation requirement for a two season period in competitive matches as stipulated by the United Kingdom's Overseas Labour Service (OLS).
The fact that the Reggae Boyz were eliminated from the 2006 World Cup qualifiers added top Ricketts shortfall because Jamaica turned to second-string goalie Shawn Sawyers in a youth development programme.
Bradford is expected to refer to an appeals panel set up to make recommendations on cases short of the criteria but where evidence has been provided by the club to support its view that the player concerned is of the highest calibre.
The appeal is not expected to be heard until the 28th of July. Meanwhile, Ricketts' Jamaican teammate, central defender Damion Stewart, could make his debut for Bradford as early as next Saturday in a friendly against Middlesborough.
According to the Bradford City official web site, Stewart's work permit is expected to come through during the week. Both players are presumed to be on their way to England to join the team for the remainder of the club's pre-season training.
