The Belize team was briefly arrested by armed insurgents in Haiti, where it is to play a qualifying match for the 2022 World Cup, announced the federation of the small Central American country.
“Despite the escort of four police officers, the team bus was forced to stop by insurgents on motorcycles armed with assault rifles, and the police were forced to negotiate with them to get the bus to continue. way to the hotel, ”wrote the Belize federation in a statement.
#Eliminatorias
Incidentes en la llegada de #Belice a # Haití.
Un grupo de hombres armados rodeó el bus del plantel beliceño y los cuatro policías escoltas debieron negociar para seguir su viaje.
FIFA y CONCACAF fueron informados de los hechos.pic.twitter.com/KBpkau7lfX
- Camino Mundial (@caminomundialok) March 22, 2021
"We are currently in contact with the authorities of Fifa and Concacaf (Confederation of North America, Central America and the Caribbean, editor's note) and are doing everything possible to move the players to a safe place," continues- she.
"A moment of intense fear"
Haiti, a country in the West Indies in economic and political crisis, has been in a state of emergency since March 18.
Some areas of the country are controlled by gangs that practice kidnapping and extortion, and openly challenge the police.
"It was a moment of intense fear," said Jaguars forward Deon McCaulay in the statement.
Belize is scheduled to play against Haiti in Port-au-Prince on March 25, a match counting for the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
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