Hope under scope

Article by Anmar Goodridge-Boyce

BARBADOS’ hopes of qualifying for the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup appear to be under scrutiny.

Just two months after the Tridents were held to a 2-2 draw at the Leonara Stadium against Guyana, controversy now surrounds the eligibility of striker Hallam Hope who scored both of Barbados’ goals when the two sides met on September 6.

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has filed an official appeal to the world governing body FIFA claiming that Hope had not received clearance from both FIFA and the English Football Association (FA) to represent Barbados.

The GFF has also challenged the result of the game considering Hope played for England at the junior level.
However, a source familiar with the matter is questioning Guyana’s appeal while stating that Barbados carried out the correct procedure in acquiring the services of 24-year-old Hope.

“A letter was sent to Concacaf and FIFA because they wanted proof of citizenship and that was given,” the source told NATIONSPORT
“Everybody else across the board has players who represented other countries at the youth level. The fact is they [Hope and Central defender Krystian Pearce] are Bajans who never represented another senior national first team. His eligibility is by courtesy. We did nothing wrong. The players must have Bajan passports and that is it. Guyana has 16 players, St Kitts 23, Antigua 18, all outside of their countries,” the source added. (AGB)

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