Sepp Blatter to speak with Cuba after 3 players defect

FIFA President Sepp Blatter says he will intervene with Cuban officials after three national team players defected in Canada ahead of a World Cup qualifier last week.

The players disappeared nine months after two players with the Cuba women's team fled to the United States following a match against Canada in Vancouver.

Blatter says it is a serious issue that "we cannot let just stand there, it will not work."

Blatter will study FIFA's reports into the latest incident in Toronto last Thursday before acting.

The FIFA president says he will personally contact "the sports authorities in Cuba, but giving them a copy to give to their political authorities."

Cuba had just 11 players available to face Canada on Friday and lost 3-0.