SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — A statement made by Haitian soccer star Wilson Isidor following a match against the Dominican Republic has intensified longstanding racial, political, and economic tensions between the two nations. After Haiti’s 4-1 victory in Santo Domingo, Isidor declared, “L’Hispaniola c’est Haiti! This is Haiti!” referring to the Caribbean island shared by both countries.
The comments sparked immediate backlash from Dominican officials. Dominican Sports Minister Kelvin Cruz announced that Haiti’s national team would no longer be permitted to play in the Dominican Republic. Cruz attributed this decision to damage caused by Haitian fans at the stadium and did not specifically address Isidor’s remarks. He indicated that he would uphold his announcement when reached for further comment.
Compounding the controversy, Dominican authorities reportedly used pepper spray on Haitian fans as they arrived at the stadium before the match. Some Dominicans later criticized their government for failing to manage the crowd effectively. Following the game, the Dominican Soccer Federation filed a formal complaint with CONCACAF regarding incidents surrounding the match.
As the Dominican Republic gears up for its 2028 elections, politicians have begun to exploit the incident to promise stricter measures against Haitian migrants. One presidential candidate even suggested enslaving Haitian immigrants, drawing stark reactions from the public.
The match coincided with the anniversary of the Parsley Massacre, an event in 1937 when thousands of Haitians were killed by orders of Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo. Before the game, a fan honored the victims with a sign written in Haitian Creole: “A great tribute to those who fell on Oct. 2, 1937. Today this match is played in your memory.”
Isidor’s comments have gone viral, leading to heated discussions on social media, with some users drawing comparisons between his remarks and a controversial salute associated with German soccer. Meanwhile, the Haitian Soccer Federation expressed support for Isidor, asserting that his statement reflected pride in his heritage rather than disrespect towards the Dominican Republic. They emphasized that sporting rivalries should not overshadow mutual respect.
In Haiti, reactions to the fallout have varied. Garry Jean-Pierre from Port-au-Prince perceived Isidor’s words as non-political and speculated that the Dominican reaction stemmed from national humiliation. André Joseph, a 20-year-old student, anticipated ongoing tensions between Haitians and Dominicans, citing treatment of Haitians in the Dominican Republic as a persistent issue.
Dominican officials have faced scrutiny for their treatment of individuals of Haitian descent, including arrests and deportations that have left many stateless. Many Haitians have called upon their government to secure better facilities for their soccer team amid safety concerns in their home country, where gangs control significant portions of the capital.
The developments continue to unfold as the Haitian national team seeks opportunities to play and train, pushing for improvements amidst the complex relationship between the two nations.
