CONCACAF - the regional governing body of football has given unequivocal thumbs down to the National Sports Council and its decision to suspend the Football Federation of Belize. And before he left town today, Secretary General of CONCACAF Chuck Blazer gave two big thumbs up to Dr. Bertie Chimilio and the FFB executive. Blazer was in Belize in an attempt to reconcile the FFB and the Belize Premier Football League but those talks fell through when representatives of BPFL walked out of negotiations on Tuesday.
In an extended interview with Keith Swift this morning, Blazer had some strong words for those who want to get rid of Dr. Chimilio and his FFB Executive.
Keith Swift Reporting,
"I am not too happy that some members of the BPFL are trying to use the government to get rid of the FFB and its executive. We will make sure power is not taken away from the duly elected representatives of the federation."
Those were the last words of CONCACAF Secretary General Chuck Blazer before leaving Belize today. It's a scathing indictment of those at the head table who two weeks ago tried to get rid of the FFB. According to blazer it is not going to work.
And that's moral as well as continuing financial support. In fact Blazer says the NSC's charge that FFB's finance are not in order is unreasonable and unfair.
Chuck Blazer,
"I think certain things I saw were disturbing. I mean when I read the press release and it eluded to irregularities and didn't point to anything and then sanctioned the FFB, I think that is peculiar because any body, whether government or otherwise, making any sanctions should make clear statements as to what the allegations are. So I couldn't find anything specific as to what the government found wrong."
"I think we need to be even handed. It is not appropriate to have a set of rules for one association and not the next. Maybe its because FFB is the only sporting body that gets outside funding."
Keith Swift,
The FFB has refused to turn over their books. Have you looked at those books?
Chuck Blazer,
"The question that is important is why are they choosing to apply this to football and they are not to other sporting associations such as the Olympic Committee."
Keith Swift,
Are you saying there are no financial irregularities in FFB as alleged by the Sports Council?
Chuck Blazer,
"We see none. We have checked and everything is in order."
So perhaps the only point of agreement Blazer has with the Sports Council is that the players are the real losers in this back and forth. And for him it's caused by political interference.
Blazer left today for the Bahamas and he will submit a report to CONCACAF President Jack Warner this weekend. That report will be in support of Dr. Chimilio and the current FFB executive committee. And Blazer's recommendation will matter in the bigger scheme of things since he is an executive member on the FIFA board.