Sports: Suriname
Key Facts
—Who. Suriname’s football federation (SVB), Concacaf, FIFA and Guatemala’s federation (FEDEFUT)
—What. Suriname says its players were racially abused by home fans; Guatemala’s federation says the visitors provoked the crowd
—Where. Estadio Manuel Felipe Carrera (“El Trébol”), Guatemala City
—When. Monday 5 October 2026, Concacaf Nations League, Guatemala 1-0 Suriname
—Status. Concacaf says it will investigate; no ruling or timeline has been given
—US link. Concacaf is also the governing body of the United States national teams; the winner of Guatemala v Canada reaches the 2027 Gold Cup
—As of. 7 October 2026, 22:42 GMT
Suriname’s football federation has filed an official complaint with Concacaf, the governing body for North and Central America and the Caribbean. It says home fans directed racist abuse at its players during a Nations League defeat in Guatemala City, which Guatemala’s federation disputes.
Guatemala beat Suriname 1-0, a result that sent it to the quarter-finals, on Monday 5 October 2026 in the Concacaf Nations League. Matthew Evans scored the winner in stoppage time, according to match reports.
Suriname needed a draw to reach the quarter-finals. Instead it lost, and forward Richonell Margaret had already been sent off around the 63rd minute.
What We Know
Guatemalan site Guatefutbol reported that Margaret reacted to the home fans with an obscene gesture. Margaret says he was responding to abuse, and told reporters afterwards that the whole stadium made monkey noises at him.
Referee Joseph Dickerson of the United States crossed his arms in an X, the sign for football’s anti-discrimination protocol, Starnieuws reported. Accounts differ on how long, if at all, play was paused.
Players from both teams scuffled after the final whistle. Mexican outlet Record reported that Suriname goalkeeper Etienne Vaessen made obscene gestures at home fans.
Suriname’s Complaint and Concacaf’s Reply
Brian Tevreden, general manager of Suriname’s national teams, started the complaint straight after the match. Concacaf rules require a protest within 24 hours, Starnieuws reported.
Tevreden says he went to the match commissioner several times during the game to point out the abuse. He says the three-step anti-discrimination protocol, which runs from a stadium announcement to a pause to abandoning the match, was not fully applied.
Concacaf told media it takes the allegations seriously and will investigate under its disciplinary procedures. It gave no timeline for its decision.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino called the abuse of Suriname’s players “absolutely unacceptable” in a statement on Tuesday. He promised FIFA’s support to Suriname’s federation, but named no sanction, Prensa Libre reported.
Guatemala’s Federation Answers Back
Gerardo Paiz, president of Guatemala’s federation, says Suriname’s players provoked the crowd. He told Guatefutbol that the goalkeeper and other players shouted at and insulted the public.
“If we all ask for respect, if we all say no to racism, we must also respect the rival’s home,” Paiz said in Spanish. He asked international bodies to judge the actions of both teams.
Earlier Cases
Suriname has complained before, and Suriname news has followed the case. After a World Cup qualifier in El Salvador on 8 September 2025, which Suriname won 2-1, FIFA fined El Salvador’s federation 50,000 Swiss francs (about US$62,700, the rate reported at the time) and ordered a 15% stadium closure.
Guatemala was sanctioned too, in a separate case. In November 2025, FIFA fined Guatemala’s federation 20,000 Swiss francs (about US$25,000) over discriminatory abuse from the stands at a 14 October qualifier in El Salvador, Emisoras Unidas and La Hora reported.
FIFA also cut Guatemala’s home capacity by 15% for its next home game, against Panama in November 2025. Neither earlier case decides what happened on 5 October.
What Is Not Known
Concacaf has not said when it will rule, or which team or fans could face action. It is also unclear what the referee and match commissioner recorded in their reports.
No independent footage or audio has been published that settles what was shouted. Until Concacaf rules, every claim about the abuse and the provocation remains an allegation from one side or the other.
What It Means for Travelers and US Readers
Guatemala now meets Canada in the Nations League quarter-finals in November, and exact dates are still to be confirmed. The winner qualifies for the 2027 Gold Cup, while Suriname enters the Gold Cup preliminary qualifiers.
Concacaf is the body that governs the US national teams as well, so its handling of this case applies to every member association. Travelling fans can check the match dates and venues on Concacaf’s site, because none have been confirmed.
More: Suriname news in English, every day from The Rio Times.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Suriname complaining about?
Suriname says home fans made racist noises at its players during the 5 October match in Guatemala City. Its federation has filed an official complaint with Concacaf.
What did FIFA’s president say?
Gianni Infantino called the abuse “absolutely unacceptable”. He promised support to Suriname’s federation but did not name a sanction.
How has Guatemala responded?
Federation president Gerardo Paiz says Suriname’s players provoked and insulted the crowd. He called for respect for the home side as well.
Who decides on any punishment?
Concacaf decides, because the Nations League is its competition. It says it will investigate but has not given a date.
Sources
Starnieuws, Suriname files complaint with Concacaf over racism in Guatemala · Guatefutbol, Gerardo Paiz responds to alleged racism · Prensa Libre, Infantino message after the Guatemala match · La Hora, Infantino condemns alleged racist insults · Emisoras Unidas, FIFA sanction on Guatemala (November 2025) · Diario El Salvador, FIFA sanctions El Salvador for racism against Suriname (2025) · Record Mexico, Suriname goalkeeper and Guatemala match
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This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief