4 hours ago
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Nicaragua's preparations for a crucial World Cup qualifier were thrown into disarray when nine police officers stormed into their dressing room with an arrest warrant for one of their players just moments ahead of kick-off.
According to the nation's football federation, law enforcement officers were asked by a child support plaintiff to detain the player, who has not been named.
The player was not arrested and an agreement was reportedly reached for the sum to be paid after the match, though it is not clear if the player took part in his nation's subsequent 4-1 defeat by Costa Rica.
The incident infuriated the Nicaragua Football Federation, which lodged ‘its strongest protest’ with its Costa Rican counterparts and hinted at foul play over the timing of the interruption.
'This action, which included the presence of at least nine police officers intent on making an arrest, generated an atmosphere of tension, confusion and instability for both the player and the entire squad,' read the statement.
'We want to state for the record that the national team has been in Costa Rican territory since last Saturday night, that the competent authorities have been fully aware of the identity and whereabouts of all the players for three consecutive days, and that they even participated in the security meeting held this morning.
According to the nation's football federation, law enforcement officers were asked by a child support plaintiff to detain a Nicaraguan player, who has not been named
The Nicaraguan FA implied nefarious intent over the timing of the interruption which came just minutes before kick-off of their 4-1 defeat by Costa Rica
'It is therefore unacceptable and unjustifiable that the police and judicial action was carried out just minutes before the start of the sporting event, directly affecting the concentration and performance of the national team.
'FENIFUT demands that this incident be investigated by the competent sports authorities and by FIFA itself, and that the necessary measures be taken to ensure that situations like this never happen again in the context of an official competition.'
The 4-1 defeat on Monday leaves their qualifying hopes in tatters. Nicaragua have just one point after four matches and sit bottom of the four-team group, seven points behind leaders Honduras.
CONCACAF qualifying draw has opened up significantly due to World Cup co-hosts United States, Canada and Mexico all not being required to compete.
Each of the three group winners qualifies automatically for the tournament, with the two highest-ranked second-placed teams also making it to the World Cup.
Nicaragua must win their remaining two matches and hope that other results go their way.
