When Haiti defeated the Dominican Republic 4‑1 in Santo Domingo, striker Wilson Isidor celebrated with the words, “L’Hispaniola c’est Haiti! This is Haiti!” The brief chant ignited longstanding tensions between the two nations sharing the island of Hispaniola.
Official response
Dominican Sports Minister Kelvin Cruz announced Friday that Haiti would no longer be permitted to play in the Dominican Republic. Cruz did not directly reference Isidor’s remarks, but blamed Haitian fans for damaging stadium infrastructure and cited security concerns after pepper spray was used on some Haitian supporters entering the venue.
Formal complaint
The Dominican Soccer Federation has filed a formal complaint with CONCACAF, the regional governing body, seeking sanctions over the incident. A CONCACAF spokesperson has not yet responded to requests for comment.
Political backdrop
The incident comes as the Dominican Republic gears up for its 2028 elections, with several presidential hopefuls promising stricter immigration enforcement against Haitian migrants. One candidate even suggested severe penalties for undocumented migrants, a statement that has drawn criticism from human‑rights observers.
Historical context
The match was played one day before the 89th anniversary of the 1937 Parsley Massacre, when Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo ordered the killing of thousands of Haitians along the border. A fan displayed a sign in Haitian Creole honoring the victims of that tragedy, underscoring the deep historical wounds that still affect relations today.
Reactions from both sides
The Haitian Soccer Federation defended Isidor, describing his words as “an expression of attachment” to his heritage and not a hostile act. The federation emphasized that sporting rivalry should never eclipse mutual respect among nations.
In Haiti, former beauty queen and lawyer Sarodj Bertin called for Isidor to retract his comments, urging respect for neighbors to foster reciprocal respect. “In the end, those who suffer are the Haitians living in the Dominican Republic,” she said.
Local Haitian commentator Garry Jean‑Pierre, watching from his home in Port‑au‑Prince, said the Dominican response was understandable, noting the humiliation felt by Haitian fans after the chant.
Impact on Haitian football
Haiti and the Dominican Republic each finished the Nations League Group A with nine points, but Haiti advanced to the quarter‑finals on goal differential. However, security concerns have forced Haiti’s home matches to be played abroad, as gangs control an estimated 70 % of the capital’s streets, making local stadiums unsafe.
Haitian fans and content creators have expressed frustration over the reliance on Dominican facilities for training and matches, urging the Haitian government to develop safe venues at home.
Looking ahead
With the upcoming elections and ongoing migration debates, the incident is likely to remain a flashpoint in Dominican‑Haitian relations. Both soccer federations and regional authorities will need to balance security, sporting fairness, and the broader social context as they move forward.
Original reporting: KSAT Sports (San Antonio) — read the source article.
