JFF leaves Russia decision to Nicholson
Published:Wednesday | March 2, 2022 | 12:08 AMRobert Bailey/Gleaner Writer
AS SEVERAL European countries imposed bans on Russian airlines, Dalton Wint, general secretary of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), says it is up to Moscow-based Reggae Boyz striker Shamar Nicholson and his representative to decide whether he remains in the country.
A number of European countries including England have banned Russian airlines from their airspace as a response to the country’s invasion of Ukraine.
The Government of Jamaica (GOJ) also said on Sunday that it was encouraging Jamaican nationals in Russia to take precautionary measures for their safety and leave where necessary.
The warning was issued as it is believed that nationals in Russia and surrounding Eastern European countries could be impacted by the crisis occurring in Ukraine.
Wint said Nicholson, who plies his trade for Spartak Moscow, should assess the situation in Russia because he might end up being stuck in the country for a very long time.
“Yes we are concerned, but it is a decision that the player has to make for himself,” said Wint. “He will have to look at the situation and know when it is time for him to leave the country,” he said.
While the Russian Premier League has continued without interruption, Russian clubs have been suspended from international football after the country’s invasion of Ukraine. The decision came on Monday from FIFA and UEFA, saying Russia’s national teams and clubs were suspended “until further notice”.
IN DIALOGUE WITH CLUB’S HIERARCHY
Nicholson’s agent Kevin Cowan said yesterday he was closely following the developments in Russia and is in constant dialogue with the club’s hierarchy.
“We are monitoring the situation and if anything imminent occurs, then we are ready to act,” said Cowan.
“I am in constant communication with the club and should anything occur, then we will act accordingly,” he said.
“There is a concern, however, he is in Russia where he is employed by the club and he has had communication with the hierarchy of the club constantly.”
According to Cowan, Nicholson is completely aware of whatever the situation is inside Russia and so is well placed to make sound decisions.
“He (Nicholson) is aware of everything that is happening and he is just trying to maintain a level of normality as best as he can, given the reality of the situation,” said the agent.
Nicholson started his professional career with local club Boys’ Town as an 18-year-old in 2014 before moving to Slovenian club NK Domzale in 2017, where he scored 18 goals in 47 appearances. In 2019, he was bought by Belgian club Charleroi, where he spent two and a half seasons. He scored 17 goals over the course of the first two seasons and had reached 13 goals in the 2021-22 season before moving to Spartak Moscow in January.