Guatemala Hit With Stadium Cuts and Fines After Racist Incidents in Suriname Match

Concacaf has handed Guatemala a significant punishment after racist incidents overshadowed their Nations League meeting with Suriname. The confederation confirmed the sanctions after its Disciplinary Committee reviewed the evidence and the official match reports, ordering stadium capacity reductions for Guatemala's home games and a fine, alongside a requirement to submit a plan for preventing discrimination at future home matches. The flashpoint came in the 63rd minute, when Suriname forward Richonell Margaret was sent off after lashing out at a fan he said was making racist noises. The Suriname team debated leaving the field for around ten minutes before deciding to return and play out the contest, which Guatemala won with a stoppage-time goal from Matt Evans to secure a place in November's Nations League quarterfinals. Individual punishments followed. Midfielder Jonathan Franco and defender Carlos Estrada were each given three-match bans, while Suriname goalkeeper Etienne Vaessen was suspended for four matches for his role in the post-match confrontation, a ban that will rule him out of the Gold Cup preliminary matches and likely games in the tournament itself. Suriname's football association, the SVB, slammed the punishment in a statement released on Friday, October 30, saying it was deeply dissatisfied with the decision. Vaessen himself shared the news on Instagram on the morning of October 30 with the hashtag 'AgainstRacism'. Guatemala are set to host Canada on November 13 at El Trebol, the same stadium where the incidents took place.