The Naitonal Sports Council has de-certified the Football Federation of Belize and the Government of Belize has written to FIFA advising them of such.
Now, FIFA is strict in its enforcement of the policy that governments are not to meddle in the affairs of National Federations - and when this happens, FIFA usually suspends the country's Football Federation. When that happens the country cannot be represented in any regional, continental or international competitions, and there are also bans at club levels including international friendly matches.
It is a serious measure, and tonight the news is that FIFA today wrote to the Minister of Sports John Saldivar reminding him that by meddling with the FFB, Belize is risking suspension. Well, the Minister wrote back saying he knows that full well.
Saldivar told us more in an interview this afternoon in Belmopan:…
Hon. John Saldivar
"I receive today Jules a response from the Secretary General of FIFA acknowledging the receipt of a letter that we sent to them informing them that the FFA have been decertified as it were. Their response of course is to remind us that this is an infringement of FIFA's statutes and there are consequences for such interference by government. However the letter does end offering a dialogue for discussing and so I am hoping that that can take place. In response of course I've written to the president again thanking him for his prompt response but also reminding him that the government of Belize has an obligation to uphold the laws of Belize and urging him to convince the FFB to comply and also then opening the way hopefully for more dialogue between FIFA/FFB and the government of Belize."
Jules Vasquez
"Have they advise the government of Belize that a suspension is imminent?"
Hon. John Saldivar
"Well the letter pretty much made reference to the statutes - I think statutes 15, that allows for that possibility of suspension yes."
Jules Vasquez
"Is that something that the government wishes not to happen or has it embark on this course knowing fully well that may indeed be as it turns out be an inevitability?"
Hon. John Saldivar
"No we wish it would not happen. We are hoping that it won't come to that and we had hope it wouldn't reach this point any at all and all that it would have required was for the FFB to comply with the laws of Belize. We don't want it reach that stage but certainly in defense of the laws of Belize and certainly in defense of the sovereignty of our country we need to make FIFA and FFB understand our position."
Jules Vasquez
"So what happens next as regards national selection? They will play on Wednesday 15 where they are schedule to play in Trinidad. Team Belize against Montserrat."
Hon. John Saldivar
"Well we already inform FIFA that the FFB is not authorized to represent our country. So whatever selection they have put together cannot play as the national selection of Belize. We are yet to see what FIFA's response is going to be but my understanding from persons who have contacted officials in its affiliated organizations that once the government says that you are not authorize to represent - that's the end of the story unless something else changes."
Jules Vasquez
"Sir I know that things are at a standoff right now but are you concern that with these two upcoming international games the road to Brazil as the FFB has call it - are you concern that in fact you are injuring the progress of football in this country?"
Hon. John Saldivar
"Well it's unfortunate like I said Jules that we've had to reach this point but it's also unfortunate that the players have to get caught up in the middle of something that could have very well easily be avoided."
Jules Vasquez
"Is it your feeling that on Wednesday no matter what there will still be a Belize team playing in Trinidad - Team Belize against Montserrat?"
Hon. John Saldivar
"I don't expect that that will be the case but like I said we don't control FIFA and so we wait to see what they will do but from the standpoint of the government of Belize no team is authorize at this time to represent the people and government of Belize in football."
Though US visas have reportedly been denied to members of the national team, The FFB has given every indication that it intends to proceed to Trinidad to play a world cup preliminary qualifier against Montserrat as the Belizean National Selection.
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