Omar McFarlane resigns as JFF operations manager to aid restructuring

Omar McFarlane has stepped down as operations manager for the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), citing the organization's current financial challenges and the need for restructuring. McFarlane stated that his decision is intended to support the JFF during this transitional period.

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The federation is working through a tough financial period right now, and after a World Cup qualifying campaign that didn’t go the way any of us hoped, some restructuring is needed. Management has initiated that process, and I respect a needed reorganisation, and I’d rather support it than be a bottleneck to it.

He will continue his involvement with the federation as its global youth ambassador. McFarlane, who previously served as acting general manager, explained that reverting to his ambassador role ensures transparency and avoids potential conflicts. In this capacity, he has already provided substantial financial backing to youth teams through his businesses.

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In an effort to be transparent and ensure there are no conflicts in roles at the Jamaica Football Federation, I’m reverting to my role as the global youth ambassador. In this role, I have provided financial support to the youth teams through my various businesses.

McFarlane revealed he has contributed $30 million to local football over the past two years. He now intends to dedicate more time to grassroots development, working directly with schools, communities, and parishes to build the sport from the ground up. He also highlighted the work of the YO Sports & Art Foundation, co-established with his wife Yendi Phillips-McFarlane, which has a pipeline of 12 projects planned over the next year to support youth programs, tournaments, and referee development.

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I will now spend more time on the ground, more time in the schools, the parishes, the communities, where this game actually gets built.

Expressing gratitude for his various roles within the JFF, McFarlane emphasized his unwavering commitment to Jamaican football. He assured that his departure from the operations manager position was a mutual decision and that he remains a strong advocate for the sport in Jamaica.

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I’m proud of and grateful for the opportunity to serve in several different capacities at the federation, but for now, just know I’m not going anywhere. I want to emphasise that this was a mutual decision with the federation. Jamaican football will always have me in its corner.