Jamaican international female footballer, Tarania Clarke, killed in stabbing incident

Jamaica women’s international, Tarania Clarke has been killed in a stabbing incident in the capital city, Kingston.

The 20-year-old footballer who recently represented Jamaica’s Reggae Girlz during the Olympic Caribbean qualifiers was stabbed to death in Kingston on Thursday, October 31, 2019. 

Police said the student died after a dispute over a mobile phone at about 8.50pm. The midfielder was pronounced dead in hospital.

Officers have arrested a woman over the death of Clarke, who played for Waterhouse FC and scored on her international debut in September’s 12-1 win over Cuba in the Olympic qualifiers.

Confirming her death, Jamaica Football Federation President Michael Ricketts said: “I am deeply saddened. This was a young lady who has shown much potential and was very pleasant, warm and had real potential to make it at the highest level.” 

“She was very much a part of the Reggae Girlz squad during the recent Olympic qualifiers and did make an impact. I offer condolences to the family and friends of young Clarke.”

In a statement published by the Jamaica Observer, the federation added: “In the year when our senior Reggae Girlz participated in the Women’ s World Cup and the nation celebrated, the country must now mourn the tragic passing of one of its most talented players, Tarania ‘Plum Plum’ Clarke.

“The Jamaica Football Federation is lost for words in expressing its profoundest sadness at the passing of Tarania, who last represented the country in the Caribbean leg of the Olympic qualifiers in October.”