WILLEMSTAD (DA) — A CONCACAF U-20 Men’s Qualifiers match between Anguilla and Guyana in Curaçao was abandoned after an on-field altercation, with both federations promising investigations as Anguilla prepares to face Curaçao next.
Curaçao’s next match is scheduled for March 2 at 4 p.m. against Anguilla at Stadion Rignaal “Jean” Francisca in Willemstad.
Guyana’s Football Federation said the incident unfolded in approximately the 86th minute after the referee issued a red card to an Anguilla player.
The GFF said the decision was followed by hostile verbal exchanges and jostling between players from both teams, and that an Anguillian player “ran into a group of players and appeared to have struck a Guyanese player,” triggering a broader confrontation involving several players.
The GFF said the match was abandoned as the situation escalated, with multiple red and yellow cards issued to players from both teams. It said an official investigation is ongoing and that it is awaiting confirmed details from the relevant authorities.
The GFF said all Guyanese players and staff returned safely to their hotel, with no reports of serious injuries arising from the incident.
In a separate statement, the Anguilla Football Association said it was aware of the events during the match against Guyana and said it does not condone that type of behavior “under any circumstances.”
The AFA said it remains committed to high standards of sportsmanship, respect and professionalism in line with CONCACAF’s regulations and disciplinary framework, as well as the federation’s own Code of Conduct.
The AFA said a thorough investigation will be conducted and that, once complete, the individuals involved will be consulted and appropriate action will be taken in accordance with established CONCACAF and AFA disciplinary policies.
It remains unclear how the incident — and any ensuing disciplinary process — could affect Anguilla’s squad availability for the March 2 match against Curaçao.