A high school soccer game scheduled to take place at a public field in East Harlem faced cancellation after a group of migrants refused to vacate the field, even after authorities intervened, as reported by the New York Post. Erik Johansson, coach of the Manhattan Kickers’ 17-year-old boys travel team, recounted the incident, stating that while some individuals initially considered leaving upon his request, a subset defiantly asserted their right to remain on the field.
On the day of the game, approximately 40 boys from both teams gathered at Thomas Jefferson Park, anticipating a 5:00 p.m. match between the Kickers and FA Euro New York. However, complications arose when around 30 men, suspected to be African migrants with limited English proficiency, declined to exit the pitch, leading to police intervention. Despite law enforcement’s involvement, the migrants persisted in occupying the field.
Efforts to resolve the dispute included a request for the club team’s city permit, a routine procedure usually not required when two teams, officials, and coaches are present. Johansson expressed concerns about potential ongoing safety risks even if the migrants were initially removed by the police, leading to the collective decision to cancel the game.
The incident left parents and team members feeling unsafe, prompting a reluctance to continue using the field for future matches. Johansson, drawing from his experiences in Sweden, emphasized the potential risks associated with such situations, having witnessed similar challenges related to migrant populations in his home country.
The broader context highlights New York City’s accommodation of a significant migrant population, with over 175,000 migrants received and approximately 67,500 currently hosted, albeit within a 30-day stay limit to manage capacity. Mayor Eric Adams, a Democrat, has voiced criticisms regarding the Biden Administration’s approach to the influx of migrants in sanctuary cities, characterizing the situation as a substantial humanitarian crisis for the city.
