JC reviewing concerns over Lyle’s eligibility for schoolboy football

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica College (JC) says it is reviewing concerns about the eligibility of a student-athlete participating in the 2026 Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) schoolboy football competitions and will cooperate with the established process. In a statement on Tuesday, the college said it takes the concerns seriously and respects the rules, procedures and integrity of competitions administered by ISSA. This follows questions about the eligibility of JC star Jamone Lyle, who reportedly signed a professional contract with Waterhouse Football Club, potentially making him ineligible for schoolboy football under ISSA regulations. Waterhouse, in a disciplinary letter dated October 9, said it had fined Lyle $60,000 for unauthorised participation in a Manning Cup match on October 7. The club alleged that Lyle ignored instructions from head coach Donovan Duckie and General Secretary Richard McCallum not to take the field for JC, in breach of his professional contract and the club’s rules. READ: Waterhouse fine sparks questions over JC star Lyle’s eligibility in schoolboy football Lyle, who recently made his senior Reggae Boyz debut against El Salvador in the Concacaf Nations League, played in JC’s 3-2 victory days later. He also featured in the school’s Walker Cup semi-final victory over Mona High last Saturday, scoring during normal time and the penalty shootout. ISSA regulations prohibit players who have signed professional contracts or actively participate in professional senior leagues from competing in schoolboy competitions such as the Manning Cup and Walker Cup. The association has, however, adjusted its rules to allow students who have not signed professional contracts to participate in both competitions five days after playing in either. In 2019, ISSA prevented Portmore United player Lamar Walker, who represented Clarendon College, from participating in schoolboy football after he attended a trial with Brazilian club Vasco da Gama. Walker had also recently made his senior debut for Jamaica. JC said it would cooperate fully with the established process to ensure that all facts and circumstances are properly considered. “As this matter involves a student-athlete who is a minor, we ask that his privacy and well-being be respected while the matter is being addressed,” the college said. The college said it would provide a further update when appropriate.