Sports Council says it’s concerned for players

The fire off the football field continues to burn today as both the players and association have received support from the sidelines. Today the National Sports Council denied accusations, made by Trenton Miller, Vice President of the Belize National Football Association, alleging interference and subversive activities. The council says it is concerned about the action taken by the players of the national selection team and says quote “stands ready to offer all necessary assistance to the Belize National Football Association to bring about a timely and effective resolution to this matter” unquote. However, the council does maintain that a central issue is verifying whether the present executive of the B.N.F.A. is legal since they have extended their term without re-election. The council says requests for documents validating the association’s claim have gone unanswered. Meanwhile the owners of the semi-pro Belize Football League teams gave their overwhelming support to the players even though they admitted the players MIGHT be wrong. The owners say, and we quote, “we wish all to know that, while the players may not be totally right, we will defend and support them.” The Belize National Football Association was relatively quiet but did say there will be a meeting between the national team players and the B.N.F.A. management team on the 11th of April 2000. The present crisis in football was prompted by an ultimatum to the B.N.F.A. issued by 19 members of the national team. Included in their list of demands was the firing of head coach Manuel Bilches following the end of international competition in May.