Concacaf reschedules Caribbean Cup semifinal following restrictions on Dominican soil
The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf) has announced the temporary suspension of the second leg of the Caribbean Cup semifinals, which would have pitted Haiti’s Violette AC against Jamaica’s Portmore United. The measure is in response to the Dominican Government’s ratification of a ban on holding sporting events involving Haitian teams in local facilities.
The match, which was originally scheduled for this Tuesday, October 20, at the Cibao FC stadium in Santiago de los Caballeros, has been moved to the week of October 26. As of now, Concacaf is still in the process of determining the venue, time, and exact date on which the match will take place.
Context of the government decision
The determination of the Dominican authorities was reiterated by the Minister of Sports, Kelvin Cruz, and has the backing of President Luis Abinader. This stance was consolidated following the incidents that occurred on October 1st in the vicinity of the Félix Sánchez Olympic Stadium, during a Concacaf Nations League match between the national teams of the Dominican Republic and Haiti.
Following the recorded incidents, the Ministry of Sports notified that Haitian national teams and clubs will not be allowed to use sports facilities in Dominican territory, a decision that was formally communicated to the corresponding international bodies.
Impact on competition
Violette AC, which had used the Cibao FC stadium as its regular venue for its previous matches in the tournament, was forced to organize the return of its delegation after receiving notification from Concacaf less than 48 hours before the scheduled start. For its part, Portmore United arrives at this duel with a significant competitive advantage, having defeated the Haitian club 3-1 in the first leg played on October 13 in Kingston, Jamaica.
What’s next for the tournament
- Violette AC needs a resounding victory to reverse the aggregate score and secure their spot in the grand final.
- The series is of vital importance, as the outcome of this semifinal grants qualifying spots for the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup.
- Concacaf is currently working on the logistics to ensure the match can be held at a neutral or alternative venue that meets the tournament’s standards.
Alofoke Deportes will continue to follow this news to report on any official updates from regional football authorities regarding the new date and venue for this crucial match.
