Locals ‘disrespected’. Golden Jaguars Coach Dooley accused of berating home-based players

Anonymous emails detail harsh treatment of local players

By Michelangelo Jacobus

A storm appears to be quietly brewing within the Golden Jaguars camp in Antigua, as several locally-based national players allege that they felt openly criticised, sidelined, and disrespected during recent meetings held by newly appointed head coach Thomas Dooley ahead of tonight’s CONCACAF Friendly Series fixture against the hosts.

The concerns, reported initially by a well-placed senior source within the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), were later echoed and expanded upon in two anonymously submitted emails sent to this publication on behalf of members of the locally-based contingent. The players, who requested anonymity, said they chose this approach because they believe they are “already being victimized.”

According to the GFF source, Dooley reportedly used a team meeting on Sunday night to express strong views on the readiness and overall level of the Guyana-based players, allegedly questioning their fitness, skill, and general quality. The source further claimed that the coach dismissed the Elite League as lacking the standard required to consistently produce high-level national players.