GUATEMALA CITY, July 27 -- Nine players of a Guatemalan youth soccer team were denied travel visas to the United States for a championship, said the Guatemalan soccer federation on Friday.

The players were to compete in the Boy's Under-15 Championship, which begins on Aug. 4, of the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf), one of FIFA's six continental governing bodies for association football, said a statement by the federation.

The statement added that the team was invited by Concacaf, and the players provided all required documents and showed up for their appointments previously scheduled at the embassy.

Guatemala will still compete in the championship in Bradenton, Florida, but will not be with the players that the coach has planned for, said the statement, noting that the setback violates the terms of fair play.

The federation said it will inform the Concacaf authorities and the organizing committee of the situation.

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