Kelvin Cruz, the Dominican Republic's Minister of Sports and highest sporting authority, announced that following the violent incidents that occurred on Thursday, October 1st, 2026, at the Félix Sánchez Olympic Stadium, he has ruled out the possibility of the Haitian national team using the Félix Sánchez Stadium or any other sports facility in the country for its matches.

This decision comes after incidents that occurred before Thursday night's match between Haiti and the Dominican Republic, which saw the Grenadiers defeat the Quisqueyanos 4-1. https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-48570-haiti-nations-league-2026-haiti-crushes-the-dominican-republic-[4-1].html

The incident occurred when the large crowds around the Félix Sánchez Olympic Stadium made access difficult, and some fanatical and violent supporters forced their way through one of the gates after all tickets had been sold out. The problems began even before the fans reached the stands. Long lines formed around the stadium, making access increasingly difficult. Subsequently, images circulated showing agitated Haitians forcing their way into the stadium and breaking down one of the gates (#22) of the complex.

Faced with the ensuing chaos, the police and army were forced to use force to control the situation, including tear gas and batons, among other non-lethal restraint measures. Reports indicate numerous injuries, but no public information has been released regarding their condition.

Furthermore, another incident, this time of a diplomatic nature, occurred after Haitian striker Wilson Isidor declared, following his goal, that "the island of Hispaniola is Haiti" and that "this is Haiti." These remarks sparked strong reactions in nationalist political and sporting circles in the Dominican Republic. "The words he uttered were inappropriate, given the [political] situation in both countries," declared the President of the Dominican Football Federation, José Deschamps, before mentioning the possibility of appealing to international football bodies. Duckens Nazon echoed these sentiments by posting the message "Hispaniola is ours" on his Instagram stories, fueling the controversy among extremist circles in the Dominican Republic.

In a statement issued on Friday, October 2nd, 2026, the Haitian Embassy, ​​attempting to defuse a burgeoning crisis, attributed the remarks to the tense atmosphere surrounding the sporting event and clarified that they were made "in the heat of the competition and the intensity inherent in sporting emotion" and that they "in no way reflect" the position of the Embassy or the Haitian government.

The Haitian Embassy disassociates itself from the players’ statements and reaffirms its respect for Dominican sovereignty.

Despite the incidents that occurred after fanatical and violent Haitians broke through a stadium gate to watch the match, even though no tickets were available, the Haitian government, on behalf of its Football Federation, expressed its "sincere thanks" to the Dominican government and people for the "collaboration, security and support provided for the event." The government emphasized that "sport, beyond competition and the emotions it evokes, also provides a space for rapprochement, dialogue, and fraternity between peoples," adding that "sporting rivalries should not undermine good neighborly relations and mutual respect."

HL/ BF/ HaitiLibre