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Dominican Republic suspends Haiti from stadiums following violent fan clashes

The Dominican Republic has banned Haiti's national football team from playing in its stadiums after supporters forced their way through entrances during a CONCACAF Nations League match in Santo Domingo, causing property damage.

LSN World News · 3 October 2026

Dominican Republic suspends Haiti from stadiums following violent fan clashes

The Dominican Football Federation announced the suspension following the incident at a CONCACAF Nations League fixture held in the capital, where Haitian fans breached security barriers and damaged stadium infrastructure. The unauthorized entry caused disruption to the match and raised safety concerns among event organizers and local authorities.

The clash erupted when supporters attempted to access the stadium without proper credentials, forcing their way through multiple entrances and damaging a gate in the process. Security personnel were unable to prevent the breach, which resulted in property damage that officials say could have endangered spectators and players present at the venue.

The ban applies to all future matches involving Haiti's national team on Dominican territory, pending a review of security protocols and potential reconciliation measures between the two football associations. CONCACAF, the regional governing body for football in North and Central America and the Caribbean, has not yet issued a formal statement on the incident.

The suspension highlights ongoing tensions in regional football competition and raises questions about venue security standards across CONCACAF member nations. Both federations are expected to engage in discussions to address the underlying issues that led to the fan disturbance.