July 26 – Concacaf has changed its match schedule and venues for the on-going Men’s U-20 Championships in Mexico after a police officer was murdered outside a team hotel in the city of Celaya.
The relocation sees Group A teams – United States, Costa Rica, Cuba, and Jamaica – move to León where the final group games will be played at the Estadio León.
The shooting took place outside the Cuban team’s hotel with reports saying that armed men pulled up on a motorcycle before opening fire on two police officers guarding the hotel. Both officers were hospitalised, with one passing away.
Celaya’s Estadio Miguel Alemán Valdés had already hosted the first two rounds of Group A matches and was dues to host the final round.
was set to host the final matches for Group A – comprised of the United States, Costa Rica, Cuba, and Jamaica – on Thursday. Both prior rounds of play in the group took place in Celaya.
Estadio León had not been on the schedule to host any matches, but will now also host two quarterfinals, both semi-finals, and the tournament final that had been scheduled for Celaya.
“Following a security incident outside of a team hotel in Celaya, and in an abundance of caution and to ensure the best possible experience for all participants, Concacaf, in coordination with the FMF, has decided to move the remainder of the tournament to the cities of Irapuato (Estadio Sergio Leon Chavez) and Leon (Estadio Leon). No further matches will be played in Celaya…,” said a Concacaf statement.
“These decisions were made in coordination with the Mexican Football Federation and the local authorities.”
The 12-team U-20 World Cup qualifying tournament kicked off on July 19 in Irapuato and Celaya, with the final schedule to take place August 4.
With one round of the final group games to go, USA, Mexico and Panama are already qualified for the quarter finals.
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