Aston Villa star Leon Bailey is set to pull out of Jamaica’s Copa America squad after previously blasting the national team set-up.
With the summer now underway many of Villa’s first-team are now being rewarded for their form at Villa Park this season.
Multiple players are now set to go away with their national teams, with both the 2024 Euros and the Copa America set to take place in the coming weeks.
This has seen four Villa players called up for the European Championships with Douglas Luiz, Emi Martinez and Jhon Duran set to play in South America’s most prestigious tournament.
Bailey was set to follow after Jamaica named the winger up in the squad on Wednesday. However, it has now become clear that the 26-year-old is not prepared to play for his nation yet after their recent dispute.
Leon Bailey still refuses to play for Jamaica
Despite being Jamacia’s best player, Bailey has not played for his country since 2023. This all started when the winger was dropped for missing a curfew in November 2023.
However, Bailey felt that his suspension was harsh, especially given the ‘lack of professionalism’ in the Jamaican camp. As a result, he decided to take a break from the national team in March.
Nevertheless, Jamaica named the winger in the squad in the hope that he may join them for their Copa America journey. However, these hopes are in vain as his father Craig Butler confirmed that he would not be joining his fellow countrymen.
Bailey’s father said on social media that his son’s position “has not changed” regarding his participation with Jamaica.
“We kindly ask that you respect his wishes at this time,” Butler added. “Posts made on social media that are surfacing at this time is a misrepresentation of his position. We wish the Reggae Boyz well in the Copa America competition and he, along with his management team, will continue to support the Jamaica National Team at all levels … change must come…Respect and One Love for all.”
Earlier this year, Bailey blasted the Jamaican set-up on the Let’s Be Real podcast. The winger has multiple issues with the national team which has influenced his decision to take time away.
He said: “I make a lot of sacrifices to make sure I always turn up,” said Bailey. “A lot of people don’t know that most of the time, I book my own flights to come and represent the national team.
“They are very unprofessional. You’re getting your flight details sent to you 11pm at night before travelling the next day.
“The Jamaica national team doesn’t pay. I don’t remember the last time I received a dollar from the national team.
“All this time I’ve been joining up with the national team, it’s very unprofessional, in ways you can’t imagine.
“You’re turning up and they don’t have equipment for you. You’ll go and they’ll only have one shirt for you, and you have to find shorts.
“Players turn up to games and it’s a women’s shirt they printed out for you to wear. In terms of travel and all sorts of things, it’s ridiculous and they don’t know how to operate.”
Read more: Everything you need to know about Aston Villa star Leon Bailey.
Hopefully, Leon Bailey and Jamaica can get their differences sorted
For a skilful player like Bailey to not be playing at the highest level is a shame after the season he has just had.
While Jamaica may not have won the Copa America, they are still a formidable side. This was seen in the CONCACAF Nations League where they finished third, only just going out to the USA in the semi-finals.
The Copa America would have been another chance for Bailey to showcase his skills to the world. However, it is his right to refuse and demand much-needed changes for the national side.
Hopefully, over the next few months, the two can sort out their differences and Bailey can get back to playing at international level once more.
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