‘ISSA should reconsider’
Loading article...
Sports law attorney Dr Emir Crowne has branded the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association’s (ISSA) amateurism rule “fundamentally backwards”, arguing that it punishes young footballers for reaching the professional level.
His comments come amid the controversy surrounding Jamaica College’s removal from the Walker Cup final because of the eligibility status of Jamone Lyle, a minor who holds a professional contract with Jamaica Premier League club Waterhouse FC.
ISSA’s rules have barred players with professional contracts from participating in any of its competitions since September 1, 2015.
The Canada-based Crowne questioned the rationale behind the rule.
“Amateurism, in all respects,” he told The Gleaner on Tuesday morning.
“That is the only way I would describe a system that celebrates a young player for reaching the professional level, then penalises the player for having reached it,” the veteran sports lawyer added.
“ISSA’s rule is fundamentally backwards. It punishes a young player, not for misconduct, but for succeeding,” he reasoned.
Crowne said the rule is out of step with football’s global framework.
“FIFA’s regulatory framework recognises that minors can become professional footballers and focuses on protecting them as they enter the professional game,” he said.
“ISSA’s rule appears to treat that same professional progress as disqualifying. ISSA should reconsider whether its rule reflects the realities of modern football,” Dr Crowne told The Gleaner.
He argued that even if ISSA is entitled to safeguard amateur competition, the welfare of the child must remain the primary consideration in any decision involving a minor.
“Any decision affecting a minor must put the child’s best interests, development, and voice at the centre of the process. Eligibility is one question. Whether the child himself should be punished is another entirely,” Dr Crowne argued.
Crowne urged ISSA to revisit the policy.
“In my respectful view, ISSA should reconsider whether professional status alone should automatically end a student’s eligibility to represent his school. Anything else is amateurism masquerading as governance,” he said.