Kelvin Cruz bans Haiti from using sports facilities following incidents at the Olympic Stadium
Sports Minister Kelvin Cruz took a firm and decisive stance following the disturbances recorded last Thursday at the Félix Sánchez Olympic Stadium. During the Concacaf Nations League match between the national teams of the Dominican Republic and Haiti, there were disorders, overcrowding, and significant material damage at the entrances of the sports venue.
The situation, which became tense even before the opening whistle, included the breaking down of one of the access gates by a crowd attempting to enter the stadium despite the fact that security checkpoints had already been closed. Given this scenario, the head of Sports was emphatic in pointing out that the use of national sports complexes is strictly conditioned on compliance with regulations and the preservation of public order.
I have bad news for the manager of the Haitian national team: we do not tolerate disorder, so we are denying the Haiti national team any use of our facilities.
Kelvin Cruz, Minister of Sports
A message of order and respect
Cruz’s statement is a direct response to the request from the Haitian national team’s coaching staff, who had expressed their interest in using Dominican soil as a venue for their home matches. For the Dominican authorities, what has occurred transcends sports and becomes a matter of sovereignty and the protection of state assets.
- Incidents: Pushing and damage to access structures were reported following a massive turnout that exceeded 20,000 spectators.
- Security: Despite special measures and enabled pedestrian access points, the pressure from the fans overwhelmed the established controls.
- Consequences: The Ministry of Sports has made it clear that no future concessions of public venues will be granted for the Haitian national team under the current circumstances.
In terms of sports, the match ended with a 4-1 victory for Haiti over the Dominican team. However, the subsequent analysis of the event has been overshadowed by the corrective measures announced by the Dominican Government. The minister’s message is clear: any event held in the national territory must guarantee the safety of attendees and the integrity of sports facilities, without exceptions.
