Mount Pleasant under JFF investigation
- Competition’s committee opens probe into allegations - PFJL awaits timely resolution
Published:Friday | May 2, 2025 | 12:17 AMGregory Bryce/Staff Reporter
Gregory Daley, chairman of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) competition’s committee, has confirmed an open investigation into Mount Pleasant Football Academy regarding the allegations of fielding ineligible players in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL).
JPL league leaders Mount Pleasant are currently under the magnifying glass after defending champions Cavalier lodged a formal complaint against the St Ann-based club.
Cavalier’s complaint surrounds Mount Pleasant’s acquisition of the Haitian duo of Angelo Exilus and Jeudy Jhonson from Real Hope FC in the January transfer window.
Despite this, Exilus and Johnson remained registered players for Real Hope and represented the club in their Concacaf Champions Cup fixtures on February 4 and 11 after the January transfer had closed.
FIFA, Concacaf, and JFF regulations prohibit a player from being registered for more than one club at the same time or for a transfer to be made after the transfer window has closed.
Daley confirmed that the JFF competition’s committee has opened an investigation into the situation.
“We’re meeting as a competition’s committee to look into the allegations.” Daley told The Gleaner. “We have a meeting at 6 p.m. (yesterday) to look at what the allegations are.”
Should Mount Pleasant be found guilty of the allegations, any possible sanctions could have drastic effects on the JPL standings and the upcoming playoffs.
Mount Pleasant currently lead the standings with 90 points, 15 clear of their closest rivals, Montego Bay United, who sit second on 75.
The Gleaner, yesterday, reported that a highly placed individual in the JFF, under the cloak of anonymity, said that should the ruling go against Mount Pleasant, the club could face a points deduction and fall as far as third in the standings.
The awarded points could also have repercussions on the race for playoff places and the current relegation battle.
Daley, however, declined to speak on any possible sanctions levied on the club as he maintained thatthey are still investigating the matter.
“We are still in the opening stages of the investigation, so I don’t think I can speak on that. For me to comment on a points deduction or any sanction like that, I think that would be pre-emptive.”
CONCACAF INVOLVEMENT
With Johnson and Exilus’ allegations stemming from their representing Real Hope in a Concacaf competition, reports allege that the regional governing body is now involved in the investigation and has made a request for all relevant documents.
Daley, however, has declined to comment on the claims of Concacaf’s involvement and gave no comment on a possible timeline for a resolution.
“That is not something that I can comment on,” Daley said. “I can’t comment on a timeline as everything will have to be decided in our meetings.”
TIMELY RESOLUTION
Owen Hill, CEO of the Professional Football Jamaica Limited (PFJL), however, hopes for a timely resolution to the investigations.
Hill said the PFJL will play no role in the investigations as it falls solely under the jurisdiction of the JFF competition’s committee.
“There is no role that the PFJL will play as this is strictly a committee matter, and we await the outcome,” he said.
“We are anticipating that the investigations will be completed in a timely manner that we can ensure the continuation of the playoff planning is moving according to the design process.”
Mount Pleasant are next scheduled for action on Sunday. They will close out the regular season against Humble Lions at Effortville Community Centre.
The opening round of the JPL playoffs is set to begin on May 8, with the finals scheduled for May 23.