Leon Bailey is suspended by Jamaica’s FA after he ripped into them for ‘never paying him or booking his flights’, as he’s pictured partying on stage while his team struggle

The Jamaican FA has suspended Leon Bailey, citing comments he made months ago about the national team’s line-up on a podcast.

The suspension comes, despite Bailey refusing a Copa America call-up anyway, days after the forward was filmed enjoying his summer, dancing the night away on stage next to a man, strangely enough, in crowded cricket mats.

The 26-year-old had criticized the lack of professionalism in the setup, he told the newspaper Let’s be honest podcast: ‘A lot of people haven’t really thought about it from my point of view, what it’s like for me to be Leon Bailey, playing for the national team that’s not close to England in terms of professionalism or anything like that. I’m used to a professional lifestyle.’

He also said that he had to book his flights himself and did not get paid for it.

Jamaica is then without Bailey, one of their biggest stars, for the tournament and a fan posted a TikTok of him partying and wrote: ‘Leon Bailey offending. Reggae Boyz needs your help at the Copa America and this is what you do?’

In the clip, which was posted earlier this week, Bailey is seen dancing next to a man bizarrely wearing a cricket helmet, gloves and pads.

It hasn’t been all nights out for the winger, as he recently posted a video of himself exhausted after training as he maintains his fitness ahead of pre-season.

Bailey and the national team don’t seem to like each other very much. The English Football Association confirmed his suspension on Wednesday after there was uncertainty about his availability.

A statement read: “The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) has made the decision to temporarily suspend the selection of Leon Bailey for the senior men’s national team.

“This decision has been made in light of the recent circumstances surrounding his comments and his non-inclusion in the Copa America 2024 team despite his selection.

It wasn’t all celebration for Bailey, who has been training ahead of the season

The Aston Villa star came into form at the end of the last campaign and is a key player

“His expressed desire to take a break from national duties was also taken into account, and suspending his selection will prevent further miscommunication. The JFF values ​​the contributions of all players and respects their individual decisions regarding participation in the national team.”

The podcast comments that the Jamaican FA took issue with surrounded their professionalism and perceived lack of pay.

Bailey had said: “A lot of people don’t know that I usually book my own flights to come and represent Jamaica because they are very unprofessional.

‘You will be sent your flight details [at] 11:00 PM before you have to leave the next day.

“The Jamaican national team doesn’t pay me. “I can’t remember the last time I received a dollar from the Jamaica national team,” he added. “It’s very unprofessional, in ways you can’t even imagine.”

Bailey trashed Jamaica’s setup and said he even had to book his own flights at times

Ahead of the Copa America, the Jamaican coach did not exactly leave the door open for Bailey’s return.

Heimir Halgrimsson told Halftime TV: ‘In his case he decided he didn’t want to play for Jamaica.

“That’s his decision, and that’s the right of any player to refuse to play for the nation, and he chose to do that. End of story for me.”

Jamaica are now out of the Copa America after losing their first two matches against Mexico and Ecuador.