BELIZE CITY, Thurs. Mar. 23, 2020– There is an uneasy and suspenseful situation currently in regards to relations between the Football Federation of Belize (FFB) Secretariat and the Chairman of its affiliate body, the Belize District Football Association (BDFA). The bone of contention? – The BDFA Ordinary Elective Congress, scheduled for this Saturday at Princess Ramada Hotel in Belize City. BDFA wants to postpone; FFB says no, the Congress is still on.
As background to this situation, a majority of clubs that participated in the BDFA tournaments were disenfranchised by rulings of the FFB, with support from some members of the BDFA executive. BDFA Chairman William Moguel has expressed his desire to have these clubs accorded full member status with voting rights; but he stands alone. Elections are imminent, and his executive colleagues are not in agreement with him.
On Monday evening of this week, Chairman Moguel sent out a release to members declaring that: “The BDFA Elective Ordinary Congress schedule for Saturday March 28, 2020 has been postponed due to the COVID-19 Pandemic now affecting Belize; this decision is in line with GOB restriction.” And that, “A new date for the Congress will be announced based on information from the Ministry of Health and the Government of Belize.”
Fair enough. But, less than two hours later, the FFB responded through Acting General Secretary, Luis Pena, declaring that this decision to postpone “was done without the consultation of the Ad Hoc committee which was put in place by the FFB to guide the process;” and furthermore, that “…the BDFA congress will not be suspended until a directive is received from the FFB Executive in reference to the BDFA, Toledo Football Association, Premier League of Belize and FFB Congress which is slated for March, April and lastly May 2020.”
There seems to be an urgency on the part of the FFB to get these elections done without delay.
But not even CONCACAF seems in a haste right now, having suspended all tournaments due to COVID-19.
Well, today the Government of Belize declared a national COVID-19 Quarantine, making gatherings of more than ten people illegal; but, as we go to press this evening, there is still no official postponement order from the FFB. Reports are that FFB President Sergio Chuc will have some consultations tomorrow, Friday, and then make an announcement.
Meanwhile, in anticipation of the FFB’s approval tomorrow, BDFA Chairman Moguel has availed himself of our media coverage and concluded his email message today with: “The BDFA Congress is therefore postponed and shall be convened as soon as clearance for social gathering is provided by the Ministry of Health.”