Guatemala will face stadium capacity reductions and be fined after racist incidents in the Concacaf Nations League match between Guatemala and Suriname, the confederation confirmed after the Disciplinary Committee reviewed the evidence and match reports.
Suriname forward Richonell Margaret was sent off in the 63rd minute after lashing out at a fan he said was making racist noises, and the Suriname team debated leaving the field for around 10 minutes before deciding to return to play out the contest.
Guatemala won on a stoppage-time goal from Matt Evans, securing a place in November's Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals.
Matthew Evans y su obra de arte 🇬🇹🎨 pic.twitter.com/1fSCtSIIxc
— Concacaf Nations League (@CNationsLeague) October 7, 2026
Los Chapines are set to host Canada on Nov. 13 at El Trebol,
the same stadium where the incidents took place. Recent renovations make the stadium's actual capacity somewhat uncertain, but it is typically listed just below 10,000 spectators.
In addition to the capacity reduction and the fines, Guatemala also is required to submit a plan outlining how they will prevent discrimination at future home matches.
Midfielder Jonathan Franco and defender Carlos Estrada were given three-match bans "for their involvement in the post-match confrontation and related violent conduct."
Suriname's football association, the SVB, slammed the punishment in a statement released Friday, Oct. 30.
"The SVB is deeply dissatisfied with this decision," it reads. "With this ruling, Concacaf acknowledges in black and white that our players were subjected to discrimination. Yet the matter has been settled with a fine.
"Racism is not an administrative offence. A fine affects a federation’s finances, but it changes nothing in the stands. Nor does it protect the players who will have to endure it again next time. "
Suriname goalkeeper Etienne Vaessen was suspended four matches for his role in the post-match confrontation, meaning he'll miss the Green Guardians' Gold Cup prelim matches and likely games in the tournament itself, with Suriname expected to qualify.
He posted an Instagram story the morning of Oct. 30 sharing the news and the hashtag 'AgainstRacism' but commented only "Have a nice day, everyone" with the zipped-lips emoji.
Veteran goalkeeper Warner Hahn has filled the No. 1 role for Suriname but wasn't included in manager Henk Fraser's most recent call-ups, with Vaessen backed-up by two goalkeepers with no international appearances.
"The SVB is considering its next steps and rules nothing out," the federation's statement continues. "We call on Concacaf and FIFA to impose sanctions in cases of racism that are a genuine deterrent and prevent repetition. These include matches behind closed doors, stadium closures and points deductions for repeat offences."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Guatemala punished by Concacaf after racist incidents in Suriname match
