Leon Bailey's wait for a Jamaica debut will go on after the Bayer Leverkusen winger refused to play for the nation on Saturday.
The 21-year-old, who is eligible for Jamaica, Germany, Belgium and England, had appeared to finally pin his colours to the mast by accepting a call-up for their clash with Bonaire.
But he pulled out of the game over the alleged failure of Jamaican Football Federation to honour an agreement to call up his younger brother, Kyle Butler.
Bailey claims he told them he would only play for Jamaica if his 20-year-old brother, who plays for Austrian side Juniors OO, was also handed the chance. But the Jamaican Federation made Butler go through a trial first.
'Obviously, I came to Jamaica because of the international call-up,' Bailey told the Jamaica Gleaner.
'I did agree to come based on the agreement we had. But when I got here, it was a totally different scenario. They didn't keep their end (of the deal), therefore, I decided not to play this game.
'I am here for one reason: to represent the country. But they didn't keep their end. Once they are willing to do that, I am ready to put on the national team jersey.
'By this November, if they are willing to go ahead with whatever we've asked of them, I'll be ready to represent my country.'
If he gets his way, Bailey could make his Reggae Boyz debut against Suriname on November 17. And the 21-year-old believes only players like his brother - who know him well - can help him fulfil his potential.
'It (his brother's situation) is a big part of it. I need players who can understand me. You can't expect me to jump in a system and expect it to work.
'I need help. I am a winner, a phoenix, and I don't like losing, so I need people who I know are capable of making things happen.'
Jordon2021
186
If the jff go that low just for one player who is on form they this Jamaican team will never see another world cup, you guys need to start scout the island, a deep scout, they don't even see the potential most of us have here in Jamaica, they can also scout the corner league's because a lot of talented player's play in those leagues because of the work they do they hardly have time to play in RSPL, Major league, D1 and D2. nuff a wi in the getto no have it but love the game, scout the island for people who love the game not player's who are in it for the traveling and if Baily thinks he can't build a chemistry with the players we have I don't see the sense calling him then give the chance to someone who LOVE THE GAME.
meeilmnpr
58
It is unreasonable of him to make such demands from a national football federation. You only want to commit to playing if your brother is guaranteed a spot. Newsflash... if your brother is food enough, he would get a call up but the fact is that he's not. Leon Bailey is playing politics with football and is in danger of watching his international career go to waste if he doesn't change his stance. He was bold enough to move to a new country in Germany to play for a new team which had no player he was familiar with yet it is a problem to play for the national team because your brother (who understands you) is not being considered. Absolutely ridiculous!