Photo: Raúl Hernández Lima

Havana, June 10 (RHC) Today, the Cuban Football Association (AFC, for its Spanish acronyms) informed that the national team's goalkeeper, Raiko Arrozarena, communicated his decision not to participate in the next World Cup qualifying match.

The decision took place hours before the trip on Saturday, June 7, from Antigua and Barbuda to Santiago de Cuba, venue of the match against Bermuda, in which our team will seek the qualification to the next stage of the tournament.

The player stated that his position is related to the concern generated by the latest immigration measures implemented by the government of the United States, where he resides, which restrict entry to that country from Cuba and other nations, which he identifies as a risk to his career at the club level.

The AFC considers that even though such provisions clarify exceptions for permanent residents, Arrozarena's actions are an expression of how much the climate of uncertainty and pressure generated by these measures and the campaigns orchestrated in this regard threaten the sport.

"We understand that this is a personal decision, which responds to individual circumstances, and we confirm the commitment of the rest of the delegation to defend the colors of the national team and achieve the World Cup dream," the statement added.

Source: ACN