Canada Coach Slams CONCACAF After Vancouver Whitecaps ‘Poisoned’ in Mexico

Canada’s national team head coach Jesse Marsch has voiced strong criticism following a gastrointestinal illness outbreak that affected the Vancouver Whitecaps after their CONCACAF Champions Cup final in Mexico. As reported by The Canadian Press, Marsch said it was “appalling” and called on Concacaf to take action.

More than half of the 75 passengers on the Whitecaps’ charter flight back to Vancouver reported symptoms. Players Ali Ahmed, Sam Adekugbe, and Jayden Nelson arrived ill to Canada’s national team camp in Halifax ahead of Saturday’s Canadian Shield match against Ukraine.

“They’re better now,” said Marsch, “but it’s appalling that this is the second year in a row an MLS team goes to Mexico for a major final and ends up poisoned.” He referenced the Columbus Crew’s similar complaints after last year’s final against Pachuca.

While Marsch admitted there’s no concrete evidence, he dismissed the incidents as coincidences. “Poisoning the team is another version of the dark arts,” he stated, distinguishing it from past experiences like hotel noise and fire alarms.

Vancouver lost the final 5-0 to Cruz Azul. The club has canceled training sessions and is consulting with health authorities and an infectious disease expert. Concacaf has yet to comment.