Keisha Hill, Staff Reporter

THE NEW Cash Plus National Premier League (NPL) and Manning Cup competitions are in full swing but the Jamaica Football Referees Association (JFRA) claims it is facing a shortage of officials.

According to Margaret Sutherland, general secretary of the JFRA, many people are afraid to join the profession because of the abuse meted out to referees by spectators, players and club officials. They are further dissuaded because of the untimely payment of stipends to referees, she said.

Sutherland stated that a portion of the competitions' sponsorships should be allocated to the referee's fees.

"The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) sets fees per competition that is sent to the organisers. These fees are reviewed every two years which means referee fees are clearly defined," she said.

However, the JFRA general secretary said the referees were paid before the matches played on last Sunday's Cash Plus Premier League (CPPL) launch and for today's games.

changes

"There have been some changes and improvements are being made. We are expecting things to get better over the next few months," she said.

The Jamaica Football Referees Commission (JFRC), which has responsibility for development and promotion of referees, continues to encourage people interested in becoming referees to do so.

Sutherland noted that part of the requirements in becoming a member of the JFRA included attending a five-day seminar, taking a written exam and undergoing a fitness test.

The good news for those who fail either of the exams is that the JFRA does not reject these applicant but they are allowed to improve their skills and resit the exams.

Despite the problems faced by the JFRA, Jamaica's referees continue to make tremendous inroads on the local and international scenes. Currently there are three FIFA referees and seven FIFA assistants operating in the island. There are, in all, about 350 referees at different levels officiating nationally.

Assistant referee Owen Powell created history when he became the first Jamaican to officiate at the World Cup Finals in France 1998.

Then, in 2002, referee Peter Prendergast also created history when he became the first Jamaican to take control of a game at the World Cup Finals in Korea/Japan. Female assistant FIFA referee Paulette Riley also made history by being the first Jamaican female to officiate at the Women's CONCACAF Gold Cup competition in the United States in 2002 and continues to get appointments in all the major CONCACAF tournaments.

Powell also officiated in the Under-20 World Cup in Asia, while Michael Mitchell performed at the 2002 Under -20 World Cup in Argentina.