Cuba To (probably) Allow Professional Players In National Football Team

A sad day and a wrong decision I think. It seems the recent 7-0 reverses against Canada, Mexico and (spit) the Bloodthirsty Monster of the North (spit), have apparently led to a "clamour" amongst fans to allow those Cubanos who are playing professionally around the world to represent the island in competition.

Of course, professional sport was banned from Cuba by the historic leader of the Revolution, almost immediately and with good reason too! As Fidel himself said: "it is tragic to turn something as noble as sports and physical exercise, something so closely related to human health and wellbeing, into some kind of merchandise. Today, Cuba is practically struggling alone against the repugnant commercialism that has invaded sports, in which there is no longer any such thing as amateur athletes, even in the Olympics." Cuba should not give up that struggle because of a poor run of form. It should only increase their revolutionary resolve. Even after a defeat, as Fidel said, "at least we have the honour, over and above the honour of the medals we have won fair and square".

National commissioner Oliet Rodriguez said that the call could take place on March 26, the day on which the national team will hold a friendly match, or when the elimination round for the next round of the Gold Cup takes place.

So far, the most mentioned players are:-

Onel Hernandez, 27 - (Norwich City, England)
Marcel Hernandez 30 - (Club Sport Cartagines, Costa Rica)
Christian Joel Sanchez 20 - (Sporting club of Gijon, Spain)
Carlos Vazquez 19 - (Athletic club of Madrid, Spain)