Haiti striker Wilson Isidor is speaking about what wearing the Haitian jersey means to him, days after his celebration following Haiti’s 4–1 victory over the Dominican Republic sparked controversy beyond the football field.
Isidor, who scored twice in Haiti’s October 1 Concacaf Nations League victory at Estadio Olímpico Félix Sánchez in Santo Domingo, published a statement emphasizing Haitian pride, responsibility and respect for others.
“Representing Haiti goes beyond football,” Isidor wrote. “It is carrying a history, an identity, a culture, and the hopes of an entire people.”
He added that representing the country also means understanding “the privilege of defending your colors and the responsibility that comes with it.” Rezo Nòdwès
A Celebration That Sparked a Bigger Conversation
The controversy began shortly after Haiti’s convincing win over its Caribbean neighbor.
In a video circulated after the match, Isidor could be heard saying “L’Hispaniola, c’est Haïti” and “Ici, c’est Haïti,” while gesturing toward the field and his Haiti jersey. The comments quickly drew criticism in the Dominican Republic, where they were interpreted by some as a statement about Dominican territory rather than simply a football celebration. Diario Libre
José Deschamps, president of the Dominican Football Federation, described the remarks as disrespectful to Dominican sovereignty and said the federation planned to take the matter to international football authorities. Concacaf subsequently opened a disciplinary investigation following a complaint from the Dominican federation, according to the Associated Press. Agencia Dominicana de Prensa
The controversy came amid broader tensions surrounding the match. Dominican authorities later announced that Haiti’s national team would no longer be permitted to use Dominican sports venues following crowd disturbances around the game. Al Jazeera
Haitian Football Federation Defends the Sporting Context
The Haitian Football Federation responded on October 3, saying Isidor’s celebration should be understood within the context of football and as an expression of his attachment to his Haitian roots.
The FHF acknowledged that the celebration had generated different interpretations but said pride in Haiti should not automatically be interpreted as hostility or disrespect toward another country.
The federation also called for respect, fair play and responsibility between the two nations. Le Nouvelliste
There has also been confusion surrounding the Haitian Embassy in Santo Domingo’s response. Some Dominican and Haitian reports initially attributed a statement to the embassy distancing the Haitian government from players’ remarks. However, subsequent reporting said the embassy disputed having issued such a position and maintained that it had released only one official statement concerning the events surrounding the match. Le Nouvelliste
Because of those conflicting accounts, it would be inaccurate to present the embassy’s reported distancing from Isidor as an undisputed official position.
“A Pride That Does Not Need to Oppose Anyone”
Isidor’s own statement does not repeat the phrase that started the controversy, nor does it contain an explicit apology or retraction.
Instead, he focused on what representing Haiti means to him.
“I wear this jersey with immense pride,” he wrote, describing that pride as something that “does not need to oppose anyone in order to exist.” Rezo Nòdwès
His message shifts the focus back toward football and the emotions surrounding national competition.
For Isidor, two countries can battle for 90 minutes without that rivalry defining how their people view one another once the match is over.
He ended his statement by reaffirming his pride in Haiti, its people and the national colors, while emphasizing football’s ability to bring people together beyond the field. Rezo Nòdwès
For Haiti, the moment comes during an important stretch for the Grenadiers. Isidor’s two goals against the Dominican Republic helped Haiti secure a dominant 4–1 victory, part of a Nations League campaign that has now carried the national team into the quarterfinals.
