December 18 – Details of the new two-tier Caribbean club championship that kicks off 31 January 2018 have been announced with eight clubs from the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago competing in the top tier.
This is the first time CONCACAF have stepped into take control of club football in Caribbean and the new tier one competition will act as the Caribbean qualifying tournament for the new CONCACAF League and the CONCACAF Champions League.
The second tier of CONCACAF’s competition will have a broader base of 12 clubs from 12 Caribbean leagues that the regional governing body says “do not presently meet the minimum CONCACAF Club Licensing requirements.”
That competition will kick off at the beginning of April and will feature SV Deportivo Nacional (ARU), Weymouth Wales FC (BRB), Real Rincon (BOE), Bodden Town FC (CAY), RKSV Centro Dominguito (CUW), Hard Rock Sports Club (GRN), USR Sainte-Rose (GPE), Guyana Defence Force (GUY), Club Franciscain (MTQ), Cayon FC (SKN), Avenues United FC (VIN) and Inter Moengotapoe (SUR).
Clubs competing in Tier 1 competition are Atlantico FC (DOM), Club Atletico Pantoja (DOM), Racing FC (HAI), Real Hope FA (HAI), Arnett Gardens FC (JAM), Portmore United FC (JAM), Central FC (TRI) and W Connection (TRI).
They will play in two groups of four hosted by W Connection FC and Atlantico FC with the group winners and the two second-place finishers advancing to a final stage that will be played later in the year. The draw for the groups will take place this Thursday, 21 December.
“CONCACAF is united behind restructuring football in the Confederation in a way that benefits stakeholders throughout the region. The new, expanded Caribbean Club Championship is both the result of our efforts and additional fuel for the growth of the game in the region,” said CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani (pictured).
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