JFF boss to pay over $9 million in damages

Produced by Brian Lewis

Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) president Michael Ricketts has been asked to pay over $9 million in damages in the case filed against him by football administrator Ainsley Lowe in 2017.

The case ended on Wednesday in the Supreme Court with Ricketts asked to pay fines for defamation, malice, aggravated and exemplary damages.

On February 28, 2017, Ricketts, who was a guest on Hitz 92 FM’s current affair sports programme Sports Grill, made a defamatory comment regarding Lowe.

Lowe then sought compensation for damages after claiming his reputation was damaged following Ricketts' statement.

However, Ricketts didn't file a defence to Lowe's suit, resulting in a default judgment being made in favour of Lowe.

In a subsequent hearing, Ricketts admitted that all the statements spoken are defamatory. The defendant will also have to issue a public apology to the claimant on Hitz 92 FM and in one publication in the Sunday Gleaner on or before January 31, 2022.