Diplomatic Tensions: Dominican Republic Bans Haiti’s National Team From Its Stadiums
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A day after the Grenadiers’ show of force in Santo Domingo (4-1), Dominican Sports Minister Kelvin Cruz announced a formal ban on Haiti’s national team using his country’s sports facilities, citing incidents that followed the final whistle.
The heated controversy erupted about 24 hours after Haiti’s commanding win over its Caribbean neighbor. The trigger for the sanction was striker Wilson Isidor’s post-match comments to the cameras.
“Hispaniola is Haiti,” the Grenadiers’ center forward declared, euphoric after scoring the first brace of his international career. Local authorities deemed the remarks provocative, and the ministry also cited damage observed at the entrances to Félix Sánchez Stadium.
On the Dominican side, Dominican Football Federation President José Deschamps saw the comments as an affront to his nation’s sovereignty. Dominican President Luis Abinader said his government firmly supports the decision.
The saga is now taking an institutional turn, with official complaints being sent to Concacaf and FIFA. While international bodies may be called on to rule, Haitian sports authorities have yet to comment officially on the matter.
Jephte Estiverne
Journaliste à Hebdo24, Jephte Estiverne couvre le sport, avec une attention particulière au football, ainsi que la culture et la musique haïtiennes.
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