HAVANA, March 14: Cuba’s elite sports machine suffered another major setback in the run up to the Beijing Olympics after seven footballers deserted the under-23 team.

The would-be defectors disappeared from their hotel while the team was in Florida to compete in a 2008 Olympic qualifying tournament.

Five players jumped the team after Tuesday’s game against the US and then two more absconded on Wednesday night.

Captain Yenier Bermudez, goal-keeper Jose Manuel Miranda, defender Erlys Garcia Baro, midfielder Yordany Alvarez, defender Loanni Prieto, defender Yendri Diaz and midfielder Eder Roldan are expected to seek political asylum in the coming days.

An irate team official on Thursday described the actions of the players as treason.

“It is an act of treason and irresponsibility,” said Antonio Garces, Director of the Cuban Football Federation. “As a federation, we are nauseated; it is an irresponsible attitude on behalf of the players because we are competing in an Olympic qualifying event for the country.”

Diaz said once he got to US soil he was anxious to defect.

“After the defection of the first five players the morale of the team was low,” Diaz said. “I was thinking of leaving after the tournament but given the situation I preferred to bring forward my departure.

Diaz is staying with friends before he officially seeks asylum. Bermudez told the Miami Herald on Thursday that they are all at peace with their decision to leave.

Team coach Raul Gonzalez said the players had not informed him of their decision and insisted they would not be withdrawing from the tournament.—AFP