GFF breaks silence on Barrow’s Puerto Rico detention

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF), in a statement on Wednesday night, sought to clarify the chain of events which occurred after Golden Jaguars forward Neron Barrow was denied entry into Puerto Rico owing to a visa issue.
Earlier this week, reports on social media surfaced, revealing that Barrow had been detained by Puerto Rican immigration for hours over the visa issue.
It was alleged that after being detained, Barrow was left alone with authorities as the rest of the team proceeded into Puerto Rico ahead of Thursday’s Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Nations League clash with Dominica.

As questions rose amongst the football fraternity regarding the GFF’s handling of the situation, the Federation issued a response on Wednesday evening.
The GFF wrote, “The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) wishes to provide clarification regarding the circumstances surrounding the return of Golden Jaguars forward, Mr Neron Barrow, from Puerto Rico on September 29, 2026.
Mr Barrow was denied entry into Puerto Rico due to a visa-related matter upon his arrival with the Guyana National Senior Men’s Team. He was subsequently detained and processed by Puerto Rico’s immigration authorities for more than five hours before being released into the supervision of Inter-Caribbean Airlines. During the period of his detention, Mr Barrow was not permitted to make telephone calls or have direct communication with the team’s management. Despite efforts by the GFF and team management to establish contact and provide assistance, access to Mr Barrow was restricted by the applicable immigration protocols.
The team management was able to make contact with Mr Barrow only after he had been released into the supervision of Inter-Caribbean Airlines. The team manager thereafter maintained communication with him and worked to ensure that appropriate arrangements were made for his return to Guyana.
Inter-Caribbean Airlines coordinated Mr Barrow’s initial travel arrangements from Puerto Rico, while the GFF subsequently secured his onwards flight to Guyana. His accommodation during this period was also facilitated by Inter-Caribbean Airlines.
Based on the communication maintained between Mr Barrow and the team manager following his release, the GFF understands that he was not subjected to mistreatment during his detention. The Federation nevertheless fully appreciates that being detained and denied entry into a foreign country, particularly under circumstances where communication with family and team officials is restricted, must have been an extremely difficult and distressing experience for Mr Barrow and his family.
The GFF wishes to assure Mr Barrow and his family that, despite the limitations imposed by the circumstances, every reasonable effort was made to monitor his situation, provide assistance when access became possible, and ensure his safe and timely return home.
It is important to clarify that the GFF, as the governing body of football in Guyana, must respect and abide by the immigration laws and entry protocols of the foreign jurisdictions in which its national teams travel. While the Federation will always advocate for and support its players, it cannot override or direct the decisions of the immigration authorities of another sovereign state.
The GFF is also grateful to Inter-Caribbean Airlines for its cooperation and support in assisting Mr Barrow during this difficult situation and in facilitating his return journey.
Mr Barrow’s flight home has been secured by the GFF, and he is scheduled to arrive in Guyana later this evening.
Finally, the GFF wishes to make clear that it cannot comment on the specific circumstances surrounding Mr Barrow’s visa matter without his express permission. The Federation will therefore respect his privacy in relation to that matter.”