CNN:The Caribbean is nearing that nervous time of year; when storms showcase the frightening and humbling power of Mother Nature by rolling in from the sea to cause destruction to the islands in its path.

But as hurricane season approaches, a different tempest is raging between two neighboring countries over something far more trivial but no less volatile — soccer.

Haiti and Jamaica are the latest nations to become embroiled in an unseemly spat that was born on the football field but quickly escalated to dominate and strain diplomatic channels.

Not in doubt is the fact that Haiti’s under-17 team have had their dream of reaching the soccer World Cup crushed after they were forced to withdraw from a qualifying tournament hosted by Jamaica.

Pretty much everything else is up for debate.

Jamaica claim two of Haiti’s players, and their coach, tested positive for malaria and the rest of the team were quarantined to safeguard the public from the disease.

Haiti says the three individuals in question were not properly cared for and that the rest of the delegation were detained, forced to take anti-malarial drugs and treated like criminals up until their departure.

Upon returning home Haiti promptly recalled their charge d’ affaires to Jamaica, while a protest saw thousands march through the capital Port-au-Prince to protest against the treatment meted out to their youth team.

Jamaica insists the matter is now closed after an assurance from Haitian President René Préval, but those closely involved in the saga are in no mood to forgive or forget.

It is not the first time the beautiful game has been the catalyst for a diplomatic flash point. The most notorious row ended in a four-day war between El Salvador and Honduras.

The bordering nations had been at odds over issues of migration and land reform in 1969 when they were drawn to play each other in qualifying for the 1970 World Cup.

The two legs prompted violent clashes between fans, the cutting of diplomatic ties and skirmishes on the border before Salvador launched bombing raids shortly after. Four days later a cease fire deal was clinched.

World Cup qualifying was also the catalyst for conflict between African neighbors Egypt and Algeria in 2009 as the Algerian team bus was stoned in Cairo.

Algeria then refused to allow an Egyptian plane to land, prompting a recall of ambassadors. Scuffles dominated the matches between the pair as Algeria claimed their place at World Cup 2010 at the expense of their great rivals.

Laser pens were the issue that tested the fractious relationship between Asian cousins Indonesia and Malaysia in December 2010.

Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono lodged an official complaint with the Asean Football Federation after he claimed lasers were used to put players off during a Suzuki Cup match in Kuala Lumpur.

Back in the Caribbean, the conflict between Jamaica and Haiti is proof of the delicate dividing lines sport operates within.

Soon after the Haitian squad landed in the country they allege they were hounded by Jamaica’s medical officials and subjected to long waits in dirty hospitals after three of their party displayed symptoms of malaria.

They claim the rest of the group were made to take anti-malaria drugs against their will, which diminish athletic performance, and then quarantined in their hotel by security guards until their failure to field a team against El Salvador confirmed elimination from the tournament.

As soon as Haiti landed back on home soil the crisis escalated and both governments became involved.

Cue a flurry of communications from, among others, the Jamaican prime minister, Bruce Golding, claiming the country’s dealings with the Haitian delegation were entirely legitimate and in line with the country’s health protocols.

Prime Minister Golding told the Jamaican House of Representatives he regretted how the issue had been “sensationalized” and that language problems between the two parties may have exacerbated the situation.

But Dr Yves Jean-Bart, president of the Haiti Football Federation, accompanied the players on their trip to the tournament, and spoke of the “psychological aggression” and “medical persecution” aimed at them by their Jamaican hosts in his official report.

He told CNN that as far as he is concerned “the matter is not closed … because it’s a discrimination act against our Haitian people. Jamaica has to apologize to our young players before relations are restored.”

Myrtha Desulme, president of the Haiti-Jamaica Society in Kingston, told CNN that Haitians on every continent would be “outraged at this last indignity meted out to their children.” She claims the entire country is still suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder after the devastating earthquake that tore the country apart in January 2010.

She added: “Even though the Haitian authorities might have accepted to officially close the book on the football issue, due to incapacity, Haitian civil society, both in Haiti, and in its Diaspora, continues to feel appalled and indignant about the incident.

“These children have been traumatized for life, on the way to achieving their dreams, and they were unfairly and illegally prevented from competing, which they had rightfully earned the right to do.

“Can you imagine what it must have been like for these 15 and 16-year-olds, who were so excited to be living what was probably the greatest adventure of their young lives, to be brutalized and humiliated, treated like criminals, and thrown out of the host country, just because two team players fell ill?

“Until Jamaicans know the truth of what transpired, they will continue to feel that Haitians have no right to feel hurt, angry, and outraged. As long as Jamaicans do not understand the source of their indignation, Haitians will continue to be incensed and resentful.

“There can be no reconciliation until there is full acknowledgement of the truth, apologies, and forgiveness.”

Jamaica contests many of Haiti’s allegations. After meeting with a delegation sent by Haiti’s government to examine the dispute Jamaica’s deputy prime minister, Dr Kenneth Baugh, said: “It should be obvious that Jamaica never intended for the Haitians to feel that they were subjected to discrimination. Our objective is to resolve and bridge the gap.”

Olivia Grange, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, said in a statement that the other nations in the tournament were subject to the same medical testing Haiti received and that their quarantine was not restrictive.

She said that Jamaica did not “expel” Haiti from the tournament, explaining that they had decided to withdraw in consultation with the footballing authorities.

Haiti will have noted as they wait to see if they will be granted special dispensation to play in the under-17 World Cup by FIFA, that Minister Grange also congratulated the Jamaican team on their qualification.

It appears as if this latest disagreement to be sparked by soccer may take a while to blow over.