Tug of war: Mount Pleasant, MBU clash over Haitian star Franco Celestin
Published:Saturday | January 24, 2026 | 12:11 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
Jamaica Premier League (JPL) big spenders Mount Pleasant Football Academy and Montego Bay United (MBU) are at loggerheads over the transfer of young Haitian talent Franco Celestin, since a move was announced this week.
Mount Pleasant, in a letter to Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) general Secretary Gregory Daley, accused MBU of breaching FIFA statutes and taking Celestin through illicit means.
However, MBU boss Epstein said the St Ann-based club can contest anything they want, as the transfer was done within the regulations, explaining that FIFA and JFF rules, state that a player under 18 cannot sign a contract and only need parental consent to transfer to another club.
In the letter to Daley, Mount Pleasant sporting director Paul Christie complained that MBU used unethical means to snatch the young star.
He pointed out that MBU breached several FIFA statutes and that Celestin was not the only player from their club they had done this with.
“I write on behalf of Mount Pleasant Football Academy to formally report and place on record a serious matter concerning the unauthorised contact, engagement and use of contracted and registered players by Montego Bay United, in apparent breach of FIFA, JFF and established transfer, registration and player protection regulations,” Christie’s letter read.
TRAINING WITHOUT AUTHORISATION
He noted that MBU have directly engaged their players and are facilitating training of Mount Pleasant players without the knowledge, consent or authorisation of the club.
“Such conduct constitutes a clear violation of the principles governing contractual stability, player registration and regulatory compliance,” it continued.
“This conduct appears to be in direct breach of Article 18(3) of the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP), which provides as follows:
“A club intending to conclude a contract with a professional must inform the player’s current club in writing before entering into negotiations with him.”
According to Christie, Mount Pleasant has received no such written notice from MBU in respect to any of the players referenced below, nor has consent been sought or granted for discussions, training or participation.
He pointed to St Lucian Melvin Doxilly, who remains under contract with Mount Pleasant but has been training with MBU without authorisation or any formal communication or approach being made to the club, contrary to the above-referenced FIFA regulation.
Christie insists Celestin is at MBU without that club following the proper transfer procedures and demands that the local parent body (JFF) look into the numerous breaches, they have highlighted, committed by the St James club.
“Franco Celestin, a 17-year-old Haitian, (has been) registered with Mount Pleasant since age 14, is enrolled in school under our academy programme and has been fully developed within our system. He has also represented Mount Pleasant at senior level.
“Celestin is currently with Montego Bay United without permission and at no time has Mount Pleasant issued consent for discussions, training, registration or participation with another club.
“Given that Celestin is a minor, this matter also raises serious safeguarding and player-welfare concerns.
“These actions give rise to serious and immediate concerns relating to player poaching and contractual interference; breaches of FIFA RSTP Article 18(3); safeguarding obligations in respect of minors and undermining of fair competition and regulatory integrity within Jamaican football. “
He added also that Mount Pleasant considers this conduct a direct threat to contractual stability and integrity; the protection, welfare and development of young players and the orderly administration and credibility of the domestic football system
“We respectfully request that the Jamaica Football Federation formally acknowledge receipt of this complaint, initiate an urgent investigation into the actions of Montego Bay United and issue clear regulatory guidance and corrective measures to prevent any recurrence of such conduct.
“Mount Pleasant Football Academy remains committed to professionalism, cooperation and strict adherence to all applicable regulations. However, we will take all necessary steps to safeguard our players, contractual rights and developmental investments should this matter not be addressed promptly and decisively. We look forward to your prompt response,” the letter concluded.
MBU supremo Yoni Epstein, in a response to the letter, pointed to the FIFA and JFF rule which states that with the transfer of a minor, once you have consent of the parent, you have all right to transfer that player.
“We have done all of that and it has been submitted to the JFF for them to rule on the matter. But it’s a straightforward ruling,” Epstein said.
“Once you have parent’s consent, which, as I said, we do, the matter will be resolved by the JFF.”
He pointed out that it is illegal for a club to contract a player under the age of 18, and that a minor can move between clubs at any time, once their parent is okay with it.
“The parent signs a consent form and you see the transfer request is sent to the club, which a club has to sign. If a club does not sign it, you go to their federation and the federation approves it, because nobody can make a decision for a minor other than the parent.”
For the transfer of a minor he said all his club would be asked to do is pay a $60,000 administration fee.
Although he didn’t answer to the accusations regarding breaches levelled at his club, Epstein maintains that their St Ann rivals can fight all they want as Celestin is now a Montego Bay United player.
“They can contest anything they want to contest. The young player has transferred schooling from Mount Pleasant Academy to Irwin High which has been approved by the ministry of education,” he added.
Efforts to get a response from Daley were unsuccessful. No official response has come from the JFF publicly neither.