Players rebel against football management
They say money is the root of all evil and according to the Belize National Football Association (BNFA), it’s also behind a long list of demands made today by Belize’s national football team. A press release signed by 19 well-known footballers including Norman “Tilliman” Nunez and Malakai Nolberto, requests “respect from the coach, a better attitude towards players and an apology.” The players are also asking for new uniforms and prompt payment of salaries. Vice President of the national football association, Trenton Miller, says the action taken by the team is based on greed.
Trenton Miller, Vice President, B.N.F.A.
“Like I said, we’ve been under attack from the Ministry and just last week the Minister attended our training camp unofficial, unannounced and he brought with him Ms. Clara Cuellar, Mr. Marshal Nunez and two representatives from KREM Radio, Mr. Glenn Tillett and Mose Hyde. During their visit, they spoke to the players and Mr. Nunez returned and gave the players money. He issued out some $100 bills, which we thought were very subversive and intended to bring a wedged between the players and the executives. The ministry has never offered any assistance and we felt that is was very unusual and against protocol for the Minister to approach the players as opposed to approaching the national association if he has any intention of offering legitimate assistance. We consider it a bribe and that led to the events of today.”
Janelle Chanona, Reporting
“Will you fulfill any of the demands the players have made?”
Trenton Miller
“We are not looking at demands right now. We have to look at what caused the situation how to remedy that, what has already been caused. The situation with the players will always be looked at, it must be looked at, but first we have to fend off the greater threat and that’s from the Government of Belize.”
Janelle Chanona
“As far as national games go, can the general public expect to see these games played?”
Trenton Miller
“The games are on. Like I said we have over 800 players in the country, the games will play.”
News Five contacted Evan “Mose” Hyde who says without anybody’s interference, relations between the coach, manager, players and the association have been deteriorating and this latest move should come as no surprise. Hyde denies any accusation of bribery. The national team is set to play El Salvador on April 16th. The players promise to play the remaining two games under the present coach and manager but insist that they be replaced immediately following the May 21st game against Guatemala.”
