Jamaica soccer team suspends former Whitecaps women’s coach accused of sexual misconduct

The former Vancouver Whitecaps women’s coach accused of trying to solicit sex from a player during recruitment a decade ago has now been suspended from his current job in Jamaica.

The Jamaica Football Federation confirmed to CityNews it has suspended its women’s head coach Hubert Busby Jr.

The JFF has written to FIFA requesting an investigation, and the results could determine whether the Canadian-born coach keeps his job.

“We will await the results of this FIFA investigation. We do not want to make permanent decisions until we have the facts. At the same time, we have to ensure that our women and girls are protected by those who lead them,” Micheal Ricketts, president of the JFF, said in a statement.

#BREAKING I’ve been told the Jamaica Football Federation is suspending its women’s coach, Hubert Busby Jr., the former Vancouver Whitecaps women’s coach accused of trying to force former player into sex during recruitment in 2010/2011. More to come @CityNewsVAN #VWFC

— Martin MacMahon (@martinmacmahon) November 2, 2021

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Last week, detailed allegations of abuse emerged when former player Malloree Enoch first spoke with the Guardian newspaper in the U.K., accusing Busby of trying to force her into sex while she was trying to make the Whitecaps squad back in the 2010/11 season.

According to Enoch’s account, while she was trying to earn a contract, the coach had her fly to various locations and when she would arrive, he would say that only one room had been reserved due to a booking issue.

Enoch says eventually the situation escalated to Busby trying to get into bed with her.

Last week, Major League Soccer announced it will initiate an investigation into how the Whitecaps handled the situation in 2011.

While the Whitecaps parted ways with Busby, the club did not publicly share the fact that allegations of sexual misconduct had anything to do with the decision.

While the investigation is carried out, a number of club executives have been put on leave.

Busby has denied the allegations against him to the Guardian.