Guatemala Applies Pressure Off the Field Against Panama

Guatemala is resorting to measures off the field. A small venue like the Manuel Felipe Carrera Stadium (El Trébol) is being used to pressure the Panamanians, but it also puts pressure on the Guatemalans themselves, who dream of reaching their first World Cup and fear failure. Messages such as 'CONCACAF, Panamanians, referees: if they rob us, nobody is leaving from here' are not good, and we hope this does not influence the decisions of Mexican referee César Ramos. Guatemala is doing this outside of El Trébol. Fariña was taken off the plane due to immigration document issues, with even Interpol getting involved, and the Panamanian management has not provided further details, other than calling up Alfredo Anderson from Marathon of Honduras in his place. To ensure that harassment and pressure do not translate into refereeing decisions, Panama will not be given anything, but neither should anything be taken away from them. Now, this is also pressure on Guatemala, who must win. Such are the qualifiers; traditionally in Central America, these kinds of off-field anomalies have been seen, as well as in the messages. 'We are thinking of several things we can manage and several that are beyond our reach,' said Christiansen, regarding Fariña. The harassment and the case of taking central defender Edgardo Fariña off the plane are proof of that. Since the 'Roja' arrived on Guatemalan soil, the stalking of the Panamanian national team by fans has gone beyond the line. But it cannot go further, and what happened in other matches must not be repeated, where even the stadium's lights went out, all to favor the home team. That is, they already know it, and they know what today's FC Khimki (Russia) player can contribute to the national team. Fariña taken off the plane. Panamanian Egardo Fariña played in Guatemala for the Municipal team in the 2023-2024 season. Football matches are played both on and off the field. This is not an excuse and even less an endorsement of violence, but these are qualifiers. Now, this is where the Panamanian management must step up, demand and guarantee the security of the Panamanian team. Panama must take advantage, capitalize on the errors that the 'chapines' might make. 'This is something that must be answered by other people,' said the manager. The one who did not go into detail about Fariña's absence was coach Thomas Christiansen. 'It is a matter that does not concern me.'