Football champs won’t participate in CONCACAF Champions League 2013
Ruperto Vicente
There is bad news in the football community tonight as the Belmopan Bandits FC, winners of the recent Premier League of Belize Championship, has been declared ineligible to participate in the upcoming CONCACAF Champions League 2013. The reason is that despite a significant upgrade in infrastructure, the F.F.B. Stadium in Belmopan still falls short of several key requirements by CONCACAF standards. Aside from a list of six basic prerequisites, which include the need to grow more grass on the pitch, adequate lighting remains an issue since the entire match between Belize and the visiting team would have been broadcast in high definition. While that condition appears to be reasonable, other riders, such as the proximity of three, five-star hotels to the arena, don’t seem to follow logic. F.F.B. President, Ruperto Vicente, says he tried his best to convince FIFA and CONCACAF executives during a recent congress in Mauritius to relax a few of the stipulations in order for Belize to participate.
Ruperto Vicente, President, Football Federation of Belize
“We will not be able to participate in the CONCACAF Championship 2013-2014, you know, because of some of the requirements that is expected of every federation and some of the requirements we cannot meet, you know. We’ve done our best, we’ve worked hard on improving our lights and the light is near completion and near meeting those standards, you know. Our pitch is good, our changing rooms, our locker rooms need improvement. We are told that we need to improve on those and install a minimum of twelve showers with hot and cold water and the locker rooms would have to be air conditioned as well, you know. But added to that in the vicinity of the stadium or near the stadium, an hour away from the stadium at least, we must have three, five-star hotels, you know, because the referees have to be in a separate hotel which must be a five-star hotel as well, you know. The visiting team has to be given the opportunity to check into the five-star hotel, as well as the home team. The home team is also required to check into a five-star hotel for two days. So, we do not have that and because we do not have that, we don’t meet those expectations we cannot participate in champions league this year.”
Isani Cayetano
“Who are all the participating teams that would have either been visiting Belize or we would have been traveling out to?”
Ruperto Vicente
“Well, we have Mexican teams, you know, we have teams from the United States. We have some from Central America. Costa Rica has just qualified to participate after trying for so many years, and two Caribbean countries, Jamaica and Trinidad. They are the only countries that are able to participate and it’s sad that out of five countries in CONCACAF only nine countries are able to participate in this tournament and for this reason, in our meeting in Mauritius last week, you know, the president of CONCACAF said that it is unfair for our countries not to be able to participate. This is a deal that has been signed many years ago by Chuck Blazer and Jack Warner and it’s a contract that has been signed CONCACAF cannot withdraw out of it to facilitate the countries that cannot meet those requirements.”
F.F.B. reiterates its commitment to the development of football and will continue to ensure that international competitions can be a reality for Belizean athletes and fans in the near future.
what a shame Belize had been warned 5 yrs ago and nothing has been done. Hopefully something is done to revive that excitement to play a game home and cheer for our home team and feel that passion we see fan abroad feel.
This is an unfortunate situation for football in Belize and we have been hearing the same old song for many years. The FFB is well aware of the requirements to host an international club and the rules were in place years prior to this report. I do not accept the president’s excuse and retarted comment and lack of initiative to carry this task forward. Shame on the federation for not making this possible. The need to work together and plan. This is 2013 and the world will not relax any rules nor make any special arrangment for Belize to enter the competion. Please stop taking the people for fools. Get a grip of the federation, follow the rules set by the governing body and lets play ball. NONSENSE. Unacceptable.
If you can not do minor things like that you should not be able to participate.
I love my country and it is sad to see they will not be allowed to participate but it is our own fault! Poor leadership! You mean all these years of football playing and we still cannot come up with a field that is internationally acceptable?????? Hey if you want to run with the big dogs you need to get off the porch! The lead dog needs to start pulling the sled! Let’s see some grass, lights and somewhere to sit by next year!
@Maynard R.
we can’t blame the president, since 5yrs ago it was a different one on place remember. and up to date to many of us this president has done a good job than the previous one. Also recheck that the rule says a “5 star hotel” to accommodate visiting teams which none of the hotels in Belize have reach that level, so come on bro comprehend that it is a excuse from this man. It is a need that we have to put together as a nation along with the gov. to try at least bust the spirit of football in Belize by helping build a stadium to international level. Just watch Jamaica nice national stadium but it’s gov., it’s people and the sport community need to work together.
MONEY is the problem,the way I see it.FFB just cannot operate with the money FIFA gives them annually.WHERE IS THE GOVERMENT AND PRIVATE SECTOR.WHEN is time to support any sport they are no where to be found.
ARe there any 5 start hotels in Belize? Perhaps the closest is Cha Creek and Coco Beach
Mr. Ruperto Vicente is a Executive of UNCAF, and He knew from long before that Belmopan Bandits will not take part of the Concachampions, and it is not true that He got the information in a meeting in MAURITUIS. Here in Costa Rica we get tje News two months ago and I give the Bandits the News. ¿ Wy Mr. Ruperto been a Member of Uncaf did not tell the Thruth to the Bandits from before? Belize football have the potential to go further, but with guys like Vicente and Blease runnig football, its going to take a long long time. WAKE UP BELIZE!!!!!
ToWy Mr. Vicente as a Member of Uncaf, did not tell the Bandits organization, that they will not play the Concachampions. Wy He came out the Closet until now?, it was better to tell them the real thruth, so that they could avoid spending a lot of money in their Preparation.. Belize has a lot of potential, but with Blease and Vicente still learning…Its going to take a long long time. But for sure they do not got to learn how to purchase a plane tickect for travel around the world with all espensive paid for by the FFB..