Marlon King, one of the best strikers in international soccer, abruptly retired Sunday from Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz, after eight years with the team.
“It is with the deepest regret that I, Marlon King, have today decided to retire myself from international football,” he said in a statement. “I have always given my all to the Jamaican football team and have some very fond memories of my achievements within the squad.”
The untimely announcement came as the president of Jamaica Football Federation Captain Horace Burrell and head coach Theodore Whitmore traveled to England to meet with him and discuss bringing him back into Boyz offense after not seeing the field in May.
In May, while the team was in Panama to play a friendly match, King was suspended for two games for breaking curfew rules, leading to his benching in Jamaica’s CONCACAF semi-final World Cup qualifying matches this summer.
King made 21 appearances for Jamaica and scored 12 goals during his career with the squad, but was often plagued by team issues off the field.
In December 2008, King was arrested on suspicion of punching a 20-year-old female college student in the face in the Soho district of London. The female suffered a broken nose and split lip. King would later be convicted of sexual assault and assault causing bodily harm. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison and placed on the sex offender register for seven years.
The 32-year-old served a two-match suspension in 2006, after the Crenston Boxhill-led federation banned King for another curfew-related incident in London.
Burrell immediately reinstated him in 2007 when he returned as captain to the JFF.
Even with reinstatement, Whitmore was never fond of the striker, labeling him as “disruptive”.
Burrell, who was fond of King, felt his retirement came at an unfortunate time because he is leading a three-man team to United Kingdom in attempts to get talent for Jamaica’s final round in CONCACAF.
“It’s unfortunate that things have ended the way they have, but I was aware that his decision would hinge on what came out of discussions with his family” Burrell said Sunday. “He told me that the matter of Jamaica has caused him so much pain… he met with his family and it was decided that this was the best course of action and we have to respect that.”
Burrell went on to thank King for his contributions to the development of Jamaica’s soccer program and wished him the best in his future endeavors.
King will continue to play in the English Premiere League in Europe for Birmingham City, but wanted to thank Burrell, the JFF and fans for their support.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Captain Burrell and Carl Brown for their outstanding support during my time with the JFF,” he said. “They will always have my complete respect. I would also like to thank the Jamaican public and my fans for their support and wish the squad the very best in achieving World Cup qualification.”
