Haiti withdraw from CONCACAF Under-17 Qualfiers
Published:Wednesday | February 16, 2011 | 3:47 PM
Haiti have pulled out of the CONCACAF Under-17 World Cup Qualifiers being staged in Western Jamaica because three members of their squad have tested positive for the malaria disease.
The Haitian Football Federation informed CONCACAF about the team’s withdrawal last night, just a few hours after the health ministry in Jamaica confirmed that three players were carrying the disease.
The ministry says the footballers entered the island with the disease.
The ministry further says the three footballers are being treated as well as other members of the team displaying symptoms of the illness.
Arrangements are being made for the team to return to Haiti as soon as possible.
Haiti lost their first match of the qualifiers 3-1 to Costa Rica on Monday and were scheduled to face El Salvador today at 12 p.m.
As a result of Haiti’s withdrawal, El Salvador will be awarded a 3-0 win.
The Haiti, El Salvador game was the first of a double-header at Jarrett Park in Montego Bay and due to the cancellation the second game between Panama and Cuba will now kick off 30 minutes earlier at 4 p.m.