 |
Costa Rica-Nicaragu match scene on the 13th. EPA Yonhap News |
|
 |
Source=Nicaragu Football Federation SNS |
|
Controversy is brewing over the fact that the police entered the opponent's locker room ahead of an important game and investigated the player.
According to foreign media such as the Spanish Daily 'Marca' and Costa Rica 'La Nacion' on the 13th (local time), Costa Rica's public units and law enforcement officials entered the Nicaraguan locker room ahead of the fourth Group C match between Costa Rica and Nicaragua at Costa Rica's National Stadium in Savannah, Costa Rica.
They notified one player of legal proceedings related to child support in the Nicaraguan locker room. In an unusual situation where police entered the away team locker room, Nicaragua's squad and staff were said to have been greatly agitated. The unidentified player reached a temporary agreement with the authorities to deposit some of the money owed and pay the rest after the game, allowing him to play.
The Costa Rican Football Federation (FCRF) admitted to local reporters that police were deployed to the stadium. It said details could not be revealed because the incident involved a minor.
 |
Source=Nicaragu Football Federation SNS |
|
The situation did not end there. On the 14th, the Nicaraguan Football Federation (FENIFUT) declared the scandal `unacceptable and unjustifiable' and issued a statement calling it an official complaint to Costa Rican authorities and FIFA. 'We absolutely respect the rule of law and current laws of all countries, and everyone must comply with their legal obligations, including alimony-related obligations. However, we categorically reject the way, timing and context in which this measure was implemented, which undermines the emotional integrity of athletes, hinders the team's preparation, and undermines the sportsmanship that must be observed in all international events."
FENIFUT said 'The Nicaraguan team has been in Costa Rica's territory since last Saturday. Therefore, the authorities had been fully aware of the identity and whereabouts of all the players for three days. 'At least nine Costa Rican officials were involved in the incident, which caused tension, confusion and instability throughout the squad.' The federation asked Costa Rican authorities for an explanation, saying, "This measure directly affected the concentration and performance of the national team." Nicaragua and Costa Rica are neighboring countries on the border, and last month Roberto Samkam, an exile from Nicaragua, was shot and killed in Costa Rica.
 |
ReutersYonhap News |
|
Nicaragua, ranked 132nd in the FIFA rankings, lost 1-4 in an away match against Costa Rica (47th), failing to escape from the swamp with no wins (one draw and three losses). Costa Rica, on the other hand, reported its first win after three consecutive years, with one win, three draws and six points, and ranked second in the group after Honduras (8 points).
Meanwhile, Nicaraguan media identified the player under investigation by Costa Rican police as winger Byron Bonilla (Real Estelli). Coincidentally, Bonilla scored an equalizer in the first leg of the qualifying round against Costa Rica in September that resulted in a 1-1 draw with a penalty kick. The game was replaced in the second half with the number 10.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.