Four Cubans defect before game versus Canada

Four Cubans defect before game versus Canada
Larson New
By Kurtis Larson,Toronto Sun

First posted: Friday, October 12, 2012 11:15 PM EDT | Updated: Friday,
October 12, 2012 11:28 PM EDT

Cuban head coach Garces Gonzalez stubbornly commented on why Cuba only
suited 11 players in a World Cup qualifier against Canada Friday night.

"I'm only here to talk about soccer," he said, before continuing and
giving reporters insight into what happened in the days leading up to
the match. "There were some players who left the team."

"We came with 15 players and there were four players who have left the
team."

Gonazalez went so far as to blame FIFA for his players' defection.

"As with any Cuban sport team that travels they are all chasing the
American dream," he said. "For the team to try and keep the team
together it's difficult. If FIFA would allow these players to play in
other league perhaps this wouldn't happen in the future."

Cuba has had a history of defection, especially when the club plays in
the U.S.

In 2008, seven players defected during Olympic qualification in the U.S.

http://www.torontosun.com/2012/10/12/four-cubans-defect-before-game-versus-canada