Controversy surrounds Lorne Donaldson’s sudden departure as Reggae Girlz coach

Former Reggae Girlz coach Lorne Donaldson unexpectedly left the Jamaica Football Federation this afternoon, sparking intense controversy.

In a statement issued this evening, the Federation announced that the decision was reached in a meeting earlier today “after extensive discussion,” as his contract was set to expire tomorrow.

Reggae Girlz now without coach

The organization also expressed gratitude for his efforts and declared their intentions to “immediately put the machinery in place to have competent staff,” considering the team’s upcoming qualifier for the CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup in under a month.

This announcement not only caused quite a stir, but has also sparked widespread debate after the former coach immediately countered with a conflicting account of the meeting’s happenings.

More on Lorne Donaldson

• Meet Lorne Donaldson, the architect behind Jamaica’s rise to the Women’s World Cup
• Reggae Girlz in a good place, says coach Donaldson

“Nothing mutual about it,” says Coach Donaldson

In an impassioned voice note shared with CNW Sports, Donaldson rubbished the JFF’s letter, saying “there’s nothing mutual about it.” He also revealed that the meeting wherein his resignation was strongly suggested lasted less than five minutes.

We’ll continue to follow this developing story.

More on the Reggae Girlz

• JFF admits guilt as Reggae Girlz blast governing body for continued foul-ups, blunders
• Jamaica’s Reggae Girlz faces uphill battle against Canada after 0-2 loss in first leg qualifier