KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP)? Jamaican forward Onandi Lowe won't be considered for the national team's 2006 World Cup qualifying matches until drug possession charges against him are resolved, officials said.
Lowe, 29, was not selected for Jamaica's first-leg World Cup qualifying match against Haiti to be played Saturday in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.Lowe won't be in the lineup when the teams meet June 20 for the return leg in Kingston, the Jamaica Football Federation said late Tuesday.
Police said they arrested Lowe and a 23-year-old woman on April 14 in the town of Wellingborough, England, with crack cocaine worth more than 30,000 pounds (US$50,000).
Lowe and his companion were charged with possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply. Both were released on bail. Lowe's next court date was not immediately available.
Lowe played as a defender in the 1998 World Cup and is one of Jamaica's stalwart players. The versatile striker has mostly excelled as a forward for his country.
He has scored twice against Uruguay and Honduras in three matches for the national team this year.
Lowe, who played the 2001 season with Kansas City Wizards of Major League Soccer, started the 2003-2004 British season with second division team Rushden and Diamonds but was transferred to first division club Coventry City late in the year. Coventry dropped him after he was charged.
