The public backlash over Belize's World Cup home game against Saint Kitts in Guatemala City continues. Today the United Democratic Party called on government to step in and the Belize Premier Football League called for players to step off the team. But the news tonight is that all of that talk might be useless because the Football Federation of Belize says the game will be played in Guatemala. As we told you last night, via press release the ministry of Sports indicated that the Carl Ramos Stadium is presently being upgraded and it will be ready in time for the February 6th match against St. Kitts.
But that's not what Sports Minister Rodwell Ferguson told us today. He says the Carl Ramos Stadium is under renovation but it won't be completed in time for February 6th. Ferguson says that while ultimately he knows of the political implications of playing a home game in a Guatemala, he has no choice but to support the team.
Keith Swift,
Sir you said something very important - that the stadium won't be ready in time for February 6th.
Hon. Rodwell Ferguson, Minister of Sports
"If we push the issue it can ready for February 6th."
Keith Swift,
Shouldn't this have been dealt with earlier?
Hon. Rodwell Ferguson,
"As I said if Mr. Chimilio had checked with us from maybe around September - it would have been ready for February 6th."
Keith Swift,
Do you support those players going to Guatemala to play a home game in Guatemala?
Hon. Rodwell Ferguson,
"While I might not want to support them I know they want to go because they are very enthusiastic about the game and while we have the conflict with Guatemala, we have to be realistic that Belize is already participating in the game and they want to go. So I have to support them one way or the other while I have my resentment."
But that explanation doesn't satisfy the UDP. In a press release the UDP says the decision represents, "a serious affront to our national sovereignty." It further says, "the outrageous proposition is the result.... of government's failure to upgrade the football stadiums." It ends by asking government to prevent the home game from being played in Guatemala. The Belize Premier Football League also condemned the decision in a press release. In it the BPFL asks the FFB to reconsider the decision. It goes further though by telling players on the national team that they have the power to reverse the decision.
