Dominican Republic bans Haiti soccer team from venues after stadium clash and 4-1 defeat

Stadium incidents and venue ban

The Dominican Republic government issued a ban on Friday prohibiting the Haitian national soccer team from using sports facilities across the country. Dominican Sports Minister Kelvin Cruz announced the restriction following disturbances outside the Felix Sanchez Olympic Stadium in Santo Domingo before Thursday's Concacaf Nations League fixture. Video footage posted on social media documented groups of supporters forcing entrance gates, resulting in structural damage to at least one access portal before security personnel contained the crowd. The match marked the first appearance by the Haitian national team on Dominican territory in 13 years, drawing roughly 25,000 spectators composed largely of Haitian residents and traveling supporters. President Luis Abinader endorsed the sports ministry's ruling on Friday, confirming that the measure represents official state policy.

What we saw yesterday with a gate at the Felix Sanchez, a sports facility that has cost millions and millions of pesos to make it shine, is unacceptable.

The position of the Sports Minister is the position of the Government.

Match result and player remarks

On the pitch, Haiti secured a 4-1 victory over the Dominican Republic, with Sunderland forward Wilson Isidor scoring two goals for the visitors. Following the final whistle, video recordings captured Isidor declaring on the field that Hispaniola belongs to Haiti, referencing the shared island territory. The statement prompted immediate backlash from Dominican sporting authorities, who viewed the rhetoric as an infringement on territorial integrity. Dominican Football Federation president José Deschamps confirmed that his organization intends to submit formal grievances to both FIFA and Concacaf regarding Isidor's conduct. Deschamps noted that the remarks were ill-advised given the political backdrop between the two neighbouring nations.

On the field, competition; off the field, respect for the neighbor.

Diplomatic response and tournament standings

The diplomatic mission of Haiti in Santo Domingo issued a formal statement seeking to defuse tensions following the match. Haitian diplomats clarified that remarks made in the intensity of competition did not reflect the official stance of the Haitian government, while expressing gratitude to Dominican authorities for hosting the fixture. The victory elevated Haiti to nine points at the top of Group A in the Concacaf Nations League, while the Dominican Republic remained on six points. Haiti's national squad departed the country to prepare for their next group stage fixture against Costa Rica, scheduled for Sunday in San Jose.

Sporting rivalries must not call into question relations of good neighborliness and mutual respect that must prevail between the two states.

Border relations and previous sporting disputes

Relations between the two Caribbean states sharing the island of Hispaniola have experienced recurring strain over migration and border security. The Dominican administration under President Abinader escalated deportations of undocumented Haitian nationals in October 2024, committing to repatriate up to 10,000 individuals each week. Cross-border sporting arrangements have previously faced disruption due to political disagreements. In 2023, after the Dominican Republic closed the common border over the construction of an irrigation canal on the Massacre River in Haiti, the Haitian sports ministry directed its football federation to stop hosting national team fixtures in Dominican stadiums.