Jamaica, France for Paris friendly

Marc Stamp, Gleaner Writer

Jamaica's Reggae Boyz will tackle 1998 World Cup football champions France in a friendly international on Sunday, June 8 at the Stade Pierre Maury in Lille, France.

France, popularly called Les Bleus, will use the game to wrap up preparation for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil which kicks off on June 12. Les Bleus will open their campaign against CONCACAF qualifiers Honduras on June 15 in Group E in the preliminary stage.

Meanwhile, the Reggae Boyz, who failed to win a game and ended last in the CONCACAF World Cup final stage last year, will look to rebuild the national senior team and brand Reggae Boyz.

"This game will be extremely important in the federation's effort to rebuild the national senior team, and is part of my stated commitment to Jamaica's football programme," Captain Horace Burrell, president of the Jamaica Football Federation, stated via an e-mail release.

"The game happened after negotiations and France chose to play Jamaica. This match would enhance brand Reggae Boyz," Burrell told The Gleaner when contacted yesterday morning.

Best foot forward

"One of the requirements is for us to field our strongest team, and we will do everything possible for that to happen," the JFF president disclosed.

Meanwhile, when quizzed as to who will be in charge of the Reggae Boyz, Burrell said: "I will not comment on the coaching at this time, that will be dealt with in the next few days." The contract of coach Winfried Schäfer ended last October and is yet to be renewed.

Jamaica made a historic first World Cup appearance at France 1998 but have failed to qualify for the finals since then.