FIFA has determined that the Group B World Cup encounter between Jamaica and Mexico will be played this Saturday in Mexico City instead of at the National Stadium. JamaicaWin.com was informed that the decision was taken in a conference call between the FIFA Stadiums review Commission and the Jamaica and Mexico Football Federations. President of the Jamaica Football Federation, Captain Horace Burrell confirmed the change.
The condition of the pitch at the local venue, which was under repair, has reportedly deteriorated with the passage of tropical storm Gustav.
FIFA looked at the following options before making its decision:
1- That the game be played at a neutral venue
2- That the game be played on a different date
3- That the fixtures are reversed, with Jamaica playing Mexico in Mexico City this Saturday and Mexico returning to Jamaica on October 11.
The first two options were difficult to meet as Jamaica would not cede their home advantage and the logistics of playing on a non-official FIFA date would not suit the coaches. They would have access to the players for 48 hours instead of the 72 on official match days.
Therefore the most popular option was for Jamaica to play away this Saturday and host Mexico later.
Jamaica held Canada to a 1-1 tie while Mexico beat Honduras 2-1 in the first set of games played on August 20.
The condition of the pitch at the local venue, which was under repair, has reportedly deteriorated with the passage of tropical storm Gustav.
FIFA looked at the following options before making its decision:
1- That the game be played at a neutral venue
2- That the game be played on a different date
3- That the fixtures are reversed, with Jamaica playing Mexico in Mexico City this Saturday and Mexico returning to Jamaica on October 11.
The first two options were difficult to meet as Jamaica would not cede their home advantage and the logistics of playing on a non-official FIFA date would not suit the coaches. They would have access to the players for 48 hours instead of the 72 on official match days.
Therefore the most popular option was for Jamaica to play away this Saturday and host Mexico later.
Jamaica held Canada to a 1-1 tie while Mexico beat Honduras 2-1 in the first set of games played on August 20.
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