Former Golden Jaguars captain Christopher Nurse has suggested that staging the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in a secure facility would be the best solution for regional confederation Concacaf in an effort to ensure player safety and control during the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to Nurse, 36, in an exclusive interview with Stabroek Sport, a secure environment, similar to the facilities being utilised by other sporting enterprises such as the NBA and MLS, is the ideal avenue for the confederation to utilize in this current pandemic to guarantee and safeguard the health of the competing nations.
He noted that a controlled atmosphere would ensure safety via a thorough testing regimen, adding that Concacaf should analyze this possibility in the wake of the continued spread of the virus and player welfare, as it is the only practical option that exists.
Nurse added, “I think the initiative to return to play is the right thing. However, I think if they can arrange an event similar to the bubbles in Orlando that hosted the MLS and NBA games most recently, it would be more ideal. Players can be tested frequently in an environment that doesn’t break local restrictions and does not increase the risk of contracting the virus and spreading it. We have seen the NBA and MLS both recently stage tournament events in a safe fashion in a bubble style facility. I believe this is the only viable way Concacaf can proceed.”
According to Nurse, who donned the armband of the Golden Jaguars from the period of 2011-2017, the logistics surrounding the travel of teams to the respective countries will definitely pose an issue due to the respective covid-19 restrictions of each nation. He added that preparation is key for any scenario that might develop because of the aforementioned regulations.
“The logistics of travel and certain countries requirements on quarantine when travelling from other countries makes it very difficult,” he said.
“How do Trinidad host any home game with the current lockdown restrictions?” he asked. “They simply cannot. So, the key right now is to try to prepare for every scenario. It requires a lot of planning with a special task force to ensure the most efficient protocols are in place.”
Nurse also said that there might be need to rule out fans at this point.
“The problem is the international travel and various restrictions many nations currently have in regards to COVID-19. I think wherever the game is staged the presence of fans will not be encouraged nor permitted from a local governmental level. It is such a delicate situation to manage, and I envision there are so many uncertainties that Concacaf themselves may be conducting a viability study at this point in time before initiating a back-up plan.”
Guyana was drawn in group-F in the first stage of the Concacaf World Cup Qualifiers. The Golden Jaguars were placed with traditional rival Trinidad and Tobago, St. Kitts and Nevis, Puerto Rico and the Bahamas.
They will commence their path to Qatar on October 8th away to Trinidad and Tobago. This will be followed by hosting Bahamas on the 13th. Meanwhile, the Golden Jaguars will return to action in November away to St. Kitts and Nevis on the 13th before concluding against Puerto Rico on home soil four days later.
Guyana’s best showing in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers occurred in the 2014 edition, as they romped to the third stage of qualifying. This is the penultimate section of the confederation’s qualification process.
Upon the conclusion of the first round, the second stage will consist of the respective group winners facing off in a home and away series. The eventual victors will advance to the final round which will consist of eight teams. Following the conclusion of the final round, the top three teams will qualify to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The fourth placed finisher will contest the Confederation Playoff.
