The qualifying match of the Qatar World Cup 2022 among the selections of Nicaragua and Saint Lucia scheduled for March 24 in Managua has been canceled, the Nicaraguan Football Federation (Fenifut) announced on Monday without explaining the reasons.
“Officially the game that was scheduled against Santa Lucia is canceled,” Fenifut said in its brief statement.
Nicaragua announced the cancellation of the match with Saint Lucia. @Fenifutnica
The North, Central American and Caribbean Football Confederation (Concacaf) has not commented on the matter but journalistic versions in the region consider that the withdrawal of Saint Lucia from the qualifiers is imminent due to the difficulties that the coronavirus pandemic has posed to a country of 182,000 inhabitants.
According to the versions, The Federation of Saint Lucia does not have the resources to cover the expenses generated by the mandatory compliance with the sanitary protocols established to compete in safety.
On the other hand, the government of Castries has decided to restrict entry to the country to neutralize a new wave of infections, and this measure extends to its players from abroad and rival teams.
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The sports page Football has also reported that St. Lucia could not reunite the players who play in clubs in Europe due to restrictions by the covid-19.
This was the main reason that led to the postponement of the double round of the South American qualifiers at the beginning of the month, scheduled for the end of March.
“Our senior team is preparing to face the Turks and Caicos Islands next Saturday, March 27 in the Dominican Republic, always for the World Cup qualifying round to Qatar 2022“continued the Fenifut statement.
The Nicaraguan coach, the Argentine Juan Vita, today regretted the cancellation of the match.
“It is a pity what is happening. I do not think there is an advantage or disadvantage in sports because now we will be four teams in the group and one will pass, as had already been announced before. But what I do regret is that now we are going to play two away games and only one at home, “said Vita.
“They are the disorders caused by the pandemic and we have to understand it, although I do regret that another team that is a direct rival will play two home games and only one visit,” added the coach.
Nicaragua will now debut on March 27 against the Turks and Caicos Islands at the Pan-American Stadium in the Dominican Republic.
The Blue and White will host Belize on June 4 and close the calendar against Haiti at the Sylvio Cator stadium in Port-au-Prince.
