This story has been updated.
Due to the contentious issue of the Quebec Soccer Federation’s stance to prohibit players from wearing turbans, about 20 teams from Ontario have pulled out of a Lac St. Louis tournament set to be held across the West Island this weekend.
Lac St. Louis Regional Soccer Association’s director Édouard Saint-Lô confirmed Thursday that 20 Ontario-based teams pulled out from the 25th edition of its outdoor national tournament set for June 15 and 16 since their travel permits were rescinded due to the QSA being red carded this week by the Canadian Soccer Association over its steadfastness to maintain its turban ban.
“The withdrawal of these teams has caused an imbalance in several divisions involving the remaining 150 teams. The organizing committee is trying to fill the vacancies by soliciting teams currently on the waiting list,” he stated.
If not enough replacement teams are found last minute, some participating Quebec-based teams could receive a rebate if they don’t play more than two games.
The Lac St. Louis tournament features teams from U-9 to the senior level, with U-7 and U-8 invited to play in a festival portion of the event. Only teams from registered provincial associations are eligible to participate. Registration fees ranged from $250 per team for U-7 up to $450 for senior. Each team is supposed to be play a minimum of three games.
The U-10 and younger kids play seven-a-side matches and the U-11 to senior play the full 11-a-side field. The levels range from recreational soccer to A and AA.
Organizers billed the tournament as “a full weekend of soccer emphasizing the quality of the soccer experience.”