Belize’s national football team will play the home game of its World Cup qualifying match against St. Kitts in Guatemala City next month. In case you missed it, Belize will be playing a home game for the World Cup in Guatemala City. The mere prospect has outraged Belizeans and tonight you can add to that list Prime Minister Said Musa. The Football Federation of Belize says the game has to be played in Guatemala City because no football field in Belize meets FIFA’s requirements. FFB says it would have taken a mere $200,000 to rehabilitate the Carl Ramos Stadium in Dangriga. But that didn’t happen and while the FFB has pointed fingers at the government, today Prime Minister Said Musa pointed them right back at the FFB and FIFA. He told Keith Swift that government had already set aside funds to renovate the stadium.
Rt. Hon. Said Musa, Prime Minister
“I certainly do not agree with that decision to play the game in Guatemala. I think that is a very poor judgement on the part of the association. We in fact committed to the funds and we will in fact upgrade the Carl Ramos Stadium. So I don’t understand this excuse that they are giving that the stadium would not be adequate because the government provided the funds, the Minister of Sports announced it so it is really inexcusable that…”
Keith Swift,
Sir but I saw the FIFA reports, I am sure you did too.
Rt. Hon. Said Musa,
“FIFA didn’t give us a chance to carry out the, in other words this FIFA is behaving like a Mafia and that is the truth of the matter. They are showing no respect for the sovereignty, dignity, and the respect of the Belizean people.”
Keith Swift,
Should we play that game in Guatemala?
Rt. Hon. Said Musa,
“Well that’s up to the footballers. I am not going to get into that but I think it is very unfortunate and I certainly do not agree that we should be playing that game in Guatemala.”
FFB President Dr. Bertie Chimilio said he had no comment on the Prime Minister’s comments. The game against St. Kitts will be played on February 6th. The return match in St. Kitts will be played in March. The national team will play the Salvadoran national team tomorrow in Cayo.
