F.F.B. nixes home football with Canada
The comic tragedy or tragic comedy that Belizean football has become reached a new low point today when we read over the Reuters
wire that the World Cup qualifying match set for June between Belize and Canada will now be moved from the jewel to the shores of Lake Ontario. That means both games of the series will be played in the far frozen north. We were hoping that F.F.B. President Dr. Bertie Chimilio would say it was all a mistake…but, guess what? It ain’t.
Dr. Bertie Chimilio, President, Football Federation of Bz
“To play FIFA match one needs a certain standard of field, certain standard of installations. And we were hoping to get our People’s Stadium up to par, at least the minimum international standards. Unfortunately, when we checked last week it wasn’t so and we had to make some hurry moves. And as such FIFA, through the efforts of Mr. Chuck Blazer and Canada, has accepted that we play both games over there. Unfortunately, as I say again, these high calibre games, you really need good installations, security, good field, good seating. And the plan from January was to try and get government to assist in making sure the field is up to international standard, but it hasn’t been and unfortunately we got to move on with our programme and we have to play both our games in Canada.”
Patrick Jones
“If I remember rightly a couple of years ago the People’s Stadium and the Norman Broaster were deemed to be of international calibre. Why the sudden turn around now to say the People’s Stadium is not fit to host an international game?”
Dr. Bertie Chimilio
“Well I do agree some years ago it was maintained to a standard that we could have played international matches such as a FIFA match there. But situations have change over the last three or four years and it’s rather unfortunate. And unless we get a full fledged football stadium in this country, whether is private sector funded, government, or some type of aid, it is going to be hard for us to play these kind of FIFA matches in Belize because FIFA has really brought out some high standards. And once one belongs to the family we need to play. We would have loved to play at home, but unfortunately before FIFA tells us you cannot play here it’s best we say we cannot play her because our standards are not up to par especially when it comes to installations.”
Patrick Jones
“What would you say to the Belizean football populace who will not get to see our national team play an international game at home?”
Dr. Bertie Chimilio
“Well as I said, it’s unfortunate that these things have to happen, but I believe that instead of bickering and harassing the Football Federation I believe that government needs to look at sports not only in terms of development, but in terms of development and infrastructure. And once that comes to par I think all sports in this country will be bale to host international matches. But for right now, for football at this level it’s going to be very, very tough.”
News 5 attempted to get comments from the National Sports Council, but we were told that Executive Director Clara Cuellar is out of the country. Hugh Staine declined comment and referred us to the director of facilities, Michael Sanchez, who was out of office and not expected back until Monday. Dr. Chimilio says tryouts for the national team remain open until Wednesday of next week. The F.F.B plans to announce the final selection at a press conference on April third.
