PANAMA CITY, Panama — Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz had their training session at the Rommel Fernandez Stadium interrupted by a barrage of fireworks Thursday night launched from just outside the walls of the 30,000 capacity venue.

The players were in the height of preparation for Friday’s CONCACAF World Cup qualifying game against the hosts when loud explosions were heard, shattering the early night’s silence.

Each time a volley of the loud explosions were heard, the players stopped and took notice as initially they were unsure of what it was and intended for.

Still, the Boyz bravely but cautiously continued their drills, until finally it became unbearable and the session was called off.

Officials of the JFF protested to the Match Commissioner on the ground as they suspected that it was an orchestrated action to intimidate the players and disrupt their training rhythm.

JFF boss Captain Horace Burrell, who was watching the session, was visibly upset, and so too head coach Winfried Schafer as well as the players.

Burrell and other officials of the JFF engaged the Match Commissioner and a Panama Football Federation representative on the offensive explosions, plus other matters.

Football-mad Central American nations have a reputation of using intimidating tactics to unsettle opponents ahead of and during matches.

— Sean Williams