Riot police were forced to intervene after a bad-tempered Nations League clash between Guatemala and Suriname descended into chaos on Monday.
In what was a crunch encounter in the competition, Guatemala triumphed 1-0 thanks to a 96th-minute winner from Matthew Evans.
The result didn’t tell the story though, with Suriname reduced to ten men after Richonell Margaret was sent off in the second half following an incident with home supporters.
It was later revealed that Margaret had been the subject of alleged racist abuse, with referee Joe Dickerson seen making the X gesture, FIFA’s no-racism sign.
Following a delay of around ten minutes, Dickerson was seen in conversation with Suriname captain Myenty Abena, who ultimately decided to continue the match after discussions with team-mates.
Nevertheless, the red card sparked a flashpoint with both benches up in arms after Margaret’s dismissal before things escalated again at full-time.
Riot police were forced to intervene after Guatemala vs Suriname descended into chaos
Guatemala won the game 1-0 but the encounter was marred by allegations of racist abuse
Players and officials from both sides found themselves involved in a chaotic brawl, with videos showing them trading blows as supporters screamed down from the stands.
Things became so heated that riot police were forced to intervene, and videos showed officers running onto the pitch and attempting to separate the teams.
After the game, Suriname skipper Abena then shared a lengthy and emotional Instagram post about what had gone on and urged the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) and FIFA to act.
He wrote: ‘A call for action to @concacaf and @fifa. There are moments when football becomes about much more than just the game.
‘During our match against Guatemala, we were subjected to racist abuse from the stands throughout the game. At one point, emotions took over and one of our players reacted.
‘Because behind every shirt is still a human being – with emotions and with limits. The referee decided to show him a red card, changing the entire course of the match.’
Abena added: ‘As captain, I was faced with a difficult decision: Do we walk off the pitch and accept the consequences, or do we continue with 10 men and refuse to let racism drive us away from the game we love?
‘With around 20 minutes left, we chose to continue. Not because what happened was acceptable. Not because it didn’t affect us. But because of our love for football, our country, and each other.’
Margaret later shared several racist comments and images that had been sent to him on social media before he posted an Instagram story aimed at the governing bodies.
He wrote: ‘The entire stadium is making monkey noises at me and my teammates. Do we always have to accept this? @concacaf @concacafnationsleague @fifa.’
Suriname urged FIFA and CONCACAF to take action following the bad-tempered encounter
FIFA president Gianni Infantino added: ‘There is no place for racism or any form of discrimination in football.
‘The racist abuse directed at Suriname’s players during last night’s Concacaf Nations League match in Guatemala is absolutely unacceptable. Everyone at FIFA, The Players’ Voice Panel and the whole football community stands firmly with any player, coach, match official, supporter or participant in a football match who has experienced racism or any other form of discrimination.
‘We will continue to offer our unequivocal support to the Suriname Football Association, to ensure strong deterrents are in place and actions are taken to eradicate racism and discrimination from our game.’
This is not the first time Suriname have faced alleged racism, with a similar incident happening during a World Cup qualifier in El Salvador last year.
Their general manager Brian Tevreden was on the touchline for both matches and hit out at what had gone on.
‘This is scandalous, and it simply cannot go on like this,’ he said. ‘We are the ones being punished: the entire match was turned upside down.
‘And beyond tonight, it’s already the second time this has happened to us in Central America. It’s disgraceful.
‘I am seriously considering no longer traveling with my team to places where this is allowed to happen. CONCACAF and FIFA really have to take action now.’
Abena added: ‘Now, I call on FIFA and CONCACAF to take responsibility and act. As players, we made the decision to stay on the pitch and finish the game under extremely difficult circumstances. We did our part.
‘After our experience in El Salvador we continued with nothing but love for the game. Now experiencing this in Guatemala, we can no longer stay silent.
‘If we truly want racism out of football, words and campaigns are not enough. There must be action and accountability when it happens.’
The 1-0 victory sealed Guatemala’s place in the CONCACAF Nations League quarter-finals at the expense of their opponents.
