FIFA said in an email the players defected Thursday, one day
before the game. U.S. Customs and Border Protection would not confirm reports
the men tried to cross into the United States at the Niagara Falls border
point.
Tom Rusert, a spokesman for the customs and border protection
agency, said no arrests were made in relation to this case. He cited privacy
concerns for not providing further information.
The defecting players left Cuban coach Alexander Gonzalez with
only 11 players on his team. He said another player was ill and didn't make it
to the game, which Canada won 3-0.
On Friday, Gonzalez lamented the departures of the missing
players.
"As with any Cuban sport team that travels around the world,
they're all chasing the American dream," he said. "And it's difficult
to try to keep the team together. ... Obviously it's a difficult situation for
the team and it's tough for me to talk about it."
Last January, two players with the Cuban women's team defected
following a match against Canada in Vancouver.
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