Where do we begin to explain the level of skullduggery to which the present bunch of FFB “leaders” would stoop, all for their own selfish motives?
To start with, anyone who has ever had anything to do with sports in Belize knows that the biggest hindrance to the participation of clubs and teams in organized competitions, is the cost involved with securing uniforms, equipment (e.g. footballs and football boots), referee costs, and travelling costs, where the competition involves venues outside of the particular city or town. In the case of the BPFL and the Super League, travelling costs are daunting, as clubs have to travel away from “home” for half of their tournament games. And referee costs for semi-pro games are quite high. Champion clubs have folded on more than one occasion in the BPFL due to debts incurred during their championship seasons. Rather than assisting these outstanding clubs, and have the champion return to defend its crown, the FFB has watched New Site Erei, Sagitun, Juventus, and others call it quits due to financial difficulties.
With the football crisis looming last year, and the BPFL threatening to withdraw from the FFB because of its undemocratic behavior in elections, FIFA had to intervene and try to chart a way forward. The plan, being discussed for some months now, was for the BPFL and the Super League to come together and create one major league, which would effectively raise the standard and result in one supreme football champion of Belize. FIFA promised some funds to help facilitate the amalgamation process, and the BPFL and the Super League were both looking forward to this next big step forward in football.
When Government’s pressure on the FFB to abide by the country’s Sports Act resulted in FIFA coming to Belize in July of this year and laying down a “Road Map” to end the dispute, the Ministry of Sports and the FFB subsequently signed an M.O.U. (Memorandum of Understanding) on August 12, which should have set the stage for the dawn of a new era of transparency and accountability in Belize football. Government then gave its full support to the FFB in its hosting of the World Cup qualifier “home” game against Guatemala last Tuesday, September 6.
What was the FFB’s side of the bargain? There was to be (1) “full disclosure of all clubs registered with FFB by August 18”; (2) “National Sports Council must have observer status to the District Association elections and the FFB general elections”; (3) the “Electoral Commission of the FFB must include persons of high moral standing and integrity and must have no real or perceived affiliation with the current FFB Executive”; (4) “the FFB will submit its new statutes and Electoral Code for approval of the NSC and for the completion of the registration process by October 14”; and (5) “During the period leading up to the December 10, 2011, deadline for elections, the FFB and its affiliates will have full access to the facilities of the National Sports Council.” Nothing there about the FFB starting a new football league.
Well, here is what the FFB has done.
First of all, the FFB did send a “disclosure” list of some 100 clubs countrywide “that are affiliated to the FFB”, via a letter dated August 18, 2011, and addressed to the Minister of Sports. (See the “FFB disclosure list” printed elsewhere in this issue.)
And then the mischief proper began. Without a word to the executives of the BPFL or the Super League of Belize, the FFB then sent out a press release, dated August 25, directly to football clubs. It stated: “All clubs across the country interested in forming part of top-level football are invited to a very important meeting at the FFB headquarters in Belmopan on Saturday, August 27, at 11:00 a.m. Topics to be discussed include the criteria for acceptance in the league, kick-off date, and other topics…” Imagine, two days notice for such an important meeting; aside from the fact that the FFB Executive has no business inviting clubs to such a meeting. That is the job of the leagues.
The response was understandably poor. Reportedly, only 7 clubs showed up.
But now, when some football fans are calling for a few practice matches against “rest of Belize teams” to sharpen our national team, and perhaps strengthen it, for the next World Cup qualifiers in early October, instead the FFB is focusing on derailing the BPFL and the Super League. (See the FFB’s latest appeal to football clubs in a letter dated September 12, and printed elsewhere in this issue under the caption, “FFB bribes clubs, bypasses BPFL and Super League”.)
There is a silent battle going on, even as Belizeans cheer and give our unwavering support and prayers for our national team. The battle is for the continued control of the authority and resources of the Football Federation of Belize, authority and resources which come from FIFA in the name of Belize.
We print the details of these correspondences so that those who will ultimately cast their votes in this battle can see for themselves, and think for themselves, and decide for themselves who is acting in bad faith and with “bad mind”, and who really has their welfare and the interests of Belizean footballers at heart.