Leon Bailey suspended by Jamaican FA following his savage takedown of set-up - claiming he booked his own flights and was never paid - with Aston Villa star seen partying next to man in full cricket pads while national side toil at Copa America
- The Jamaican FA have suspended Leon Bailey following comments on podcast
- Bailey did not accept call-up for Copa America and has been enjoying himself
- LISTEN to It's All Kicking Off! EUROS DAILY : Should Jude Bellingham be dropped by Gareth Southgate?
The Jamaican FA have suspended Leon Bailey, citing comments he made savaging the national team set-up on a podcast months ago.
The suspension, despite Bailey refusing a Copa America call-up anyway, comes days after the attacker was filmed enjoying his summer, dancing the night away on stage alongside a man strangely in full cricket pads.
The 26-year-old had hit out at the lack of professionalism in the set up, telling the Let's Be Honest podcast: 'A lot of people haven't really thought about it from my point of view, how it is for me being Leon Bailey, playing for the national team that's nowhere close to an England for professionalism or anything like that. I'm used to a professional lifestyle.'
He also spoke about having to book his own flights and not getting paid.
Jamaica are subsequently without Bailey, one of their biggest stars, for the tournament and one fan posted a TikTok of him partying, writing: 'Leon Bailey is violating. Reggae Boyz need your help at Copa America and this is what you're doing?'
Leon Bailey was seen on stage dancing alongside a man in cricket gear
In the clip posted earlier this week, Bailey is seen dancing next to a man bizarrely wearing a cricket helmet, gloves and pads.
It hasn't all been nights out for the winger, however, he recently posted a clip of him exhausted after a workout as he keeps up fitness levels ahead of pre-season.
There appears to be no love lost between Bailey and the national set-up, with the FA confirming his suspension on Wednesday following some confusion over his availability.
A statement read: 'The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), has made the decision to temporarily suspend the selection of Leon Bailey to the senior Men's National Team.
'This decision has been made in light of recent circumstances surrounding his comments and non-participation in the Copa America 2024 team, despite being selected.
It hasn't all been partying for Bailey, who has been training ahead of pre-season
The Aston Villa star came into form at the back end of the last campaign and is a key player
'Consideration was also given to his stated desire to take a break from national duties, and suspending his selection will guard against any further miscommunication. The JFF values the contributions of all players and respects their individual decisions regarding national team participation.'
Those podcast comments the Jamaican FA took exception to surrounded their professionalism and alleged lack of payment.
Bailey had said: 'A lot of people don't know that most of the time, I book my own flights to come and represent Jamaica because they are very unprofessional.
'You're getting your flight details sent to you [at] 11pm before you have to travel the next day.
'The Jamaican national team doesn't pay me. I can't remember the last time I received a dollar from the Jamaica national team,' he added. 'It's very unprofessional, in ways you can't even imagine.'
Bailey savaged the Jamaica set-up and said sometimes he even had to book his own flights
Prior to the Copa America, the Jamaica coach didn't exactly leave the door open for Bailey to return.
Heimir Halgrimsson told Halftime TV: 'In his case, he decided not to want to play for Jamaica.
'That's his decision, and that's every player's right to refuse to play for the nation, and he opted to do that. End of story for me.'
Jamaica are now out of the Copa America after losing their first two games against Mexico and Ecuador.
Read more