BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE two players who were involved in an on-field brawl during the final match for team St. Kitts-Nevis in round three of the Caribbean Cup last month, has been sanctioned by the St. Kitts-Nevis Football Association (SKNFA).
In a statement released yesterday (Dec 1), the SKNFA stated, “The Executive Body of the St. Kitts and Nevis Football Association has communicated disciplinary measures to two national players who became embroiled in an on-field argument and other misconduct during the Round 3 match of the 2016 CFU Scotiabank Caribbean Cup match against Team Haiti.”
The incident took place after both teams were goalless at regulation time, and according to the tournament’s rules, there must be a winner and so the teams went into extra time (30 minutes).
The Haitians drew first blood in the 12th minute of the first half off the boot of Donald Guerrier.
This somehow seemed to have caused frustration to creep into the Sugar Boys camp as teammates Jason St. Juste and Julani Archibald (goalkeeper) had a mid-field brawl, which resulted in the former being shown a second yellow, equalling that of a red card, and the latter a yellow.
The game ended 2-nil in Haiti’s favour, thus securing them a place in the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
After that game, Vice President of the SKNFA, Al Edwards told reporters that the players would likely be sanctioned after meeting with a disciplinary committee.
In handing down judgment, the Association indicated that Archibald would receive a six-match suspension from participating in St. Kitts-Nevis Men’s Team competition.
Other conditions to which he has to adhere are: “Instructed to attend anger management counselling and to submit report from counsellor documenting attendance and progress with anger issues. To submit a letter of apology to the SKNFA, coaches, teammates and patrons for his actions.”
Meanwhile, St. Juste received a two-match suspension from participating in St. Kitts-Nevis Senior Men’s Team competition, but the Association noted that “the automatic one-match suspension for receiving a Red Card will be counted as one match served”.
St. Juste was also asked “to submit a letter of apology to the SKNFA, coaches, teammates and patrons for his actions”.
Their incident was deemed an embarrassment to the team and, by extension, the SKNFA.
The statement reiterated the disappointment of the SKNFA’s Executive with the behaviour of the two players and hopes that the sanction would serve as an opportunity for introspection.
