CONCACAF withdraws from regional tourney in PR

Published Jul. 6, 2010 9:45 p.m. ET

foxsports

Football's ruling body in North and Central America has pulled all its referees and support staff out of this month's Central American and Caribbean Games in Puerto Rico because of a lack of suitable facilities and poor pitch conditions.

The decision by the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) on Tuesday means tournament organizers will have to find other officials for the men's and women's matches.

The competition in Puerto Rico begins on July 17 in the western city of Mayaguez. As a whole, the games are expected to include 33 countries and 900 delegates, including more than 600 athletes from 32 sports.

``They've asked us to reconsider our decision, but it was not in our interest to support it,'' CONCACAF spokesman Ben Spencer said in New York. ``During an inspection with about two weeks to go, it was clear they weren't going to be ready in time.''

After a review of inspection reports, the ruling body decided the conditions in Puerto Rico did not meet the minimum standards for an international event.

Tournament organizers in Mayaguez referred all calls to Hector Figueroa, director of the technical division. He did not return calls Tuesday afternoon.