FIFA dubbed them the jaguars because Belize’s national football team made history in June when they advanced to round two of the World Cup qualifying matches. The 21 players defended the pride of the jewel and valiantly fought Mexico. But now the players say they are being “chanced.” As we’ve been reporting, the Football Federation signed an agreement with the players promising to pay each of them $9,000 by July 7th. On July 7th instead of getting money, they got a check and instructions to wait 8 days before cashing it. Well that week has come and gone and the FFB checks are bouncing faster than footballs off Mexican cleats. And the players are becoming angry and impatient. Last night Ali Thurton appeared on Lik Road to lash out against the FFB bosses and today two of his team-mates joined him. Keith Swift met them on their way to the bank.
Keith Swift Reporting,
We were there this morning when Deon McCauley, Ali Thurton and Ian Gaynair went to the Scotia Bank on Albert Street to cash their $9,000 checks which have been signed and stamped by the Football Federation. The checks are dated July 7th and the FFB told the players they could cash them on the 15th. That’s two days ago - but today when they went up to the teller – the checks bounced – they were told again that the funds weren’t available. The players left embarrassed but more so disgruntled, disappointed, and disrespected – again. Deon McCauley – the star striker was visibly frustrated and for him – right now the check isn’t even worth the paper it is written on.
Deon McCauley, Player - National Football Team
“I went inside and a man came to us and asked if we came to check
on the check. We told the man yes and he went to check and the man came back and said nothing is in the account because some Belmopan branch has to send the money here but no money has come yet.”
Ian Gaynair, Player- National Football Team
“As we gaan there the man who dealt with smiled like he is just laughing after all of us like he already knew nothing was in the account.”
Ali Thurton, Player – National Football Team
“We saw him took long so we felt good, we felt that something would come through but we came back and we were disappointed. We need wi lee money. We are very disappointed right now.”
Ian Gaynair,
“The contract said the 7th but Chimilio said he gave us the 7th but that didn’t mean we would get the money on the 7th. He said the money won’t be in until like around the 15th. But he said everybody was rushing him to put a earlier date on it and so he did it and he said the money wouldn’t be there until the 15th and now the 15th came and passed.”
Deon McCauley,
“I frustrated bad right now. I really want my money. I am tired of them chancing we. Every time they have to di chance me.”
In fact Deon, Ian, and Ali are making more money training kids at this football summer camp – than they did training and playing on the national team.
And while these football stars are adored by these children – they claim they've been disrespected by the federation. They say it is not about the money - it is about the fact that 50,000 people paid to see them play – and now it’s their turn to get paid.
Ian Gaynair,
“We worked hard for the money. We worked a lot for that money and I think we earned a lot of money off of it and I think it is like a positive reinforcement to give back to all the players.”
Deon McCauley,
“Of course I am frustrated because I know that I have worked very hard for my money and through all the qualifiers we’ve been through so many hard times with the Federation and up to now we played a big game against Mexico and now we can’t get our money. I think it is foolishness.”
Ian Gaynair,
“I feel like we get disrespected in a way because we got a check and the President said the check would have been due for a certain date and the date came and passed and we haven’t heard any word from the President.”
Deon McCauley,
“I see it as a disrespect of course. I see it as a disrespect because we worked hard, we never yet collected so much money so I don’t see why they are hiding it from we and don’t want to give us our money.”
Ali Thurton,
“This is like a month now and we still haven’t gotten the money
because we done know those people outside got their money and we did the hard work and we ended up with nothing and so we want to know when our money will come because we need our money. We done work hard. I know if you work hard for the week you want to collect your money, definitely because we have our bills that we want to pay, you have your kids and everything.
You can’t do nothing, all you have to be doing is borrowing money and when you are borrowing money it frustrates you more and more because everyday you borrow money and everyday your bill is going up and by the time you get the money, all the $9,000 will be done by the time you done because you already frustrated and no money no deh. They are taking we like we are small pickney. We are big men with big kids so we just want our money.”
And while the players don't have money – they still have the love and respect of the public which is more than they can say for President Bertie Chimilio who’s been roundly criticized. But he is the most powerful man in football in Belize. Still the players are unfazed.
Deon McCauley,
“I don’t feel threatened by anyone because if my country needs me and my country wants me out there, I don’t see why Mr. Chimilio will stop the fact of that.”
Ian Gaynair,
“I don’t think I am saying anything against nobody and I think I have the right to talk about what rightfully is mines.”
Ali Thurton,
“I don’t care if I get punished, I had already told them I don’t care to play on any more national team because when you play on a national team you should get much more love than this. You don’t have to run behind them for money, they should have already given you the money because it is a month’s time. It is like you are working a whole month and the boss man is telling you he can’t sign the check because I don’t have a pen. That is the way how I see it.”
The difference here is that these checks have been signed – the challenge is getting them cashed.
One player we spoke to who is in Cayo told us he has gotten paid, if only partially. He told us he received $2,000 from the bank but there’s been no indication as to when he’ll collect the other $7,000. Team captain Shane Orio is back in Costa Rica where he plays in a professional league and so we were unable to verify if his check was cashed. We did reach FFB President Dr. Bertie Chimilio but he respectfully declined comment. He has told us previously that the money just hasn’t come through because these transactions take time.
As we reported, the income from the game in Houston should be considerable since the more than 50,000 people attended the game and with an average ticket price of US$50, you can do the math. Dr. Chimilio has said the federation will have to split revenues with traffic sports, the marketing agency that paid up front for the venue and other arrangements.
