Canada men’s national team coach Jesse Marsch has strongly criticized CONCACAF, calling it “appalling” that Vancouver Whitecaps players were reportedly “poisoned” during their trip to Mexico for the CONCACAF Champions Cup final. The Whitecaps revealed that about half of the 75 individuals on their charter flight back to Vancouver experienced gastrointestinal illness after Sunday’s match.
Ali Ahmed, Sam Adekugbe, and Jayden Nelson were sidelined from training due to sickness upon joining the Canadian national team in Halifax ahead of Saturday’s game at Toronto’s BMO Field against Ukraine in the Canadian Shield tournament.
Marsch expressed disbelief, noting this marks the second consecutive year an MLS team has fallen ill during a Champions Cup final in Mexico. He referenced a similar incident involving Columbus Crew last year, where nearly the entire squad was affected by a stomach virus after losing to CF Pachuca.
While Marsch admitted there’s no definitive proof of deliberate poisoning, he emphasized the uncanny pattern. “It’s not random,” he said, voicing frustration on behalf of the MLS teams.
Vancouver coach Jesper Sorensen didn’t accuse anyone of intentionally causing illness but remained uncertain about the source. Marsch recalled previous disruptive experiences during matches in Mexico, like fire alarms and noise disturbances, but called poisoning a step too far.
Vancouver suffered a heavy 5-0 defeat to Cruz Azul in the final, and their sporting director Axel Schuster confirmed that none of the players appeared sick during the match. The team is collaborating with health authorities and an infectious disease expert to investigate.
Despite efforts to resume training, some players left sessions early, and Sorensen cast doubt on their ability to play against the Seattle Sounders on Sunday, prioritizing player health above all.
Marsch reiterated his position Friday, stating, “This is too much of a coincidence. It’s a shame.”
CONCACAF declined to comment on the allegations.
Swifteradio.com
