That same topic came up today in our interview where Slusher confirmed our report; and he should know what he's talking about because he was in the meeting between the players at the executive.
He explained to us that he sided with the players during the discussion, and he now feels that's why he's being penalized with such suddenness:
Charlie Slusher - Assistant Head Coach
"So all the information he got was second hand information from Sergio Chuc but I believe the real reason why they let me go because there was a meeting yesterday because the team had said that they would not go to the practice game if nothing was solved - they even went further to say that they would not board the plane if a decision or an agreement had not been made with them and the FFB, it went to that extent. We as the coaching staff do not want that - what we wanted was that this matter should be settled so that when we go abroad, it's just about focusing on the game and that's what we did in UNCAF. When we went there, we didn't have issues about money - the guys were focused, the agreement was made long before so everybody didn't even have issues about money and the guys were happy and contended -and that is what makes a player perform when you don't have to worry about that. All the disastrous trips that the National Team has had in the past was because of the issue of money when it was trying to be solved abroad during that process.
From experience, we tried to make sure that that doesn't happen and I really don't want the Belizean public to get against the players. If you want to get against Charlie Slusher then I have no problem with that but the players really work hard - when you talk about what they're doing up there and sacrificing themselves and the way they are treated - it's sad. None of the players are mercenaries because they are the ones that qualify to this tournament - they are the ones that allowed the federation to get all those monies because of their hard work so they should be rewarded. If you as a coach even mention those things you will be penalized. Like I said - let me be the bad guy, I have no problem with that but I just want the players to be comfortable."
Tomorrow, we will be at a pre-departure pep rally with the players, where we will get their feedback on this last minute distraction.
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