Managua, Nicaragua
-The match of the qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar between the teams of Nicaragua and St. Lucia scheduled for March 24 in Managua has been canceled, the Nicaraguan Football Federation (Fenifut) announced on Monday without explaining the reasons.
“The match that was scheduled against Santa Lucia is officially canceled,” Fenifut said in a brief statement.
The Confederation of North, Central America and the Caribbean Football (CONCACAF) has not ruled on the matter but journalistic versions in the region consider that the rSt. Lucia’s withdrawal from the qualifiers due to the difficulties posed by the coronavirus pandemic in a country of 182,000 inhabitants.
According to versions, the federation of Santa Llúcia does not have the resources to cover the expenses generated by the obligatory fulfillment of the sanitary protocols established to compete in security.
On the other hand, the Castries government has decided to restrict entry into the country to neutralize a new wave of contagion, and this measure extends to its players from abroad and rival teams.
The sports page Futbolnica has also reported that Santa Lucia could not bring together players who play in clubs in Europe due to restrictions by the covid-19.
This was the central reason that at the beginning of the month was the postponement of the double day of the South American qualifiers scheduled for the end of March.
“Our national team is preparing to face the Turks and Caicos Islands next Saturday, March 27 in the Dominican Republic, always for the World Cup qualifier in Qatar 2022,” continued the statement from Fenifut.
Nicaragua will now make its 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 schedule against Haiti at Sylvio Cator Stadium in Port-au-Prince. EFE