Jamaica FA finds itself in hot water after reappointing coach who was earlier accused of sexual misconduct by FIFA.
Jamaica FA falsely claims women’s team coach was cleared of alleged sexual misconduct.
Falsely asserting that the coach of the women’s national team had been exonerated of serious misconduct charges by FIFA’s Ethics Committee, the Jamaican Football Federation restored him.
Two and a half years after being suspended by the federation for allegedly making sexual attempts towards a former player during his tenure as coach of the Vancouver Whitecaps women’s team in 2010 and 2011, Hubert Busby Jr. returned to head the Jamaica women’s national team in May of this year.
Announcing Busby’s return in May this year, the Jamaican Football Federation said in a media release that “after careful consideration and due process, our technical committee has recommended the immediate reappointment of Hubert Busby as head coach of the Senior Women’s National Team. He was removed from the position when the JFF requested Fifa to investigate unsavory media reports originating in Europe. Fifa subsequently cleared Mr Busby.”
Busby told media in Jamaica that “it is important now to turn that page and sit in front of you knowing that the vindication is there.” He added that his experience was part of “God’s plan”.
It also recognises that Fifa’s Ethics Committee never conducted interviews with witnesses to the alleged misbehaviour, including former Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Maloree Enoch, who first made the accusations against Busby.
“With regard to the allegations against Mr Busby, the Investigatory Chamber of the Fifa Ethics Committee initiated a preliminary investigation into a potential breach of Article 23 (protection of physical and mental integrity) of the Fifa Code of Ethics,” a Fifa spokesperson told the Guardian in a statement.
“We can confirm that the preliminary investigation has been closed, in accordance with the Fifa Code of Ethics and statute of limitations that applied at the time of the alleged incidents. This is without prejudice that new circumstances may reopen this investigation in accordance with Article 85 of the Fifa Code of Ethics.
“A preliminary investigation may, amongst other steps, include collecting written information, requesting documents and obtaining witness statements.
“Fifa takes any allegation reported to it extremely seriously. Any allegation reported to Fifa is handled in confidence and according to applicable rules and regulations to each case.”