Yesterday, we told you about the plight of the players on the Belize National Football Team. They were promised payment of $9,000 on July 15, and when they didn’t get paid a few brave players came forward to publicly protest. Well it seems that the old and well turned wisdom of the squeaky wheel getting the oil worked again. They got paid today. 7NEWS took them to the bank.
Keith Swift Reporting,
We were there again this morning when national team stars Ian Gaynair, Deon McCauley and Ali Thurton returned to the Scotia Bank on Albert Street to attempt to cash their checks from the Football Federation. In about 15 minutes they exited the bank smiling. They had 9 thousand reasons to smile because the money which wasn’t there yesterday – was suddenly there today.
Ian Gaynair, Got His Money
“Finally our money is there now. We feel happy.”
Keith Swift,
Do you think that if you hadn’t spoken out that you guys would have gotten it this quick?
Ian Gaynair,
“To some extent maybe if we
didn’t talk we wouldn’t get it yet, maybe we would have gotten it next week or some other time. I am really happy. I will go and deposit my money next door right now.”
Deon McCauley, Got His Money
“I feel good that I got my money and everybody else got their money because maybe if we didn’t come up like this and talk then maybe we wouldn’t have gotten anything but I am glad that we got it.”
Ali Thurton, Got His Money
“We came today and we feel happy now because when we came the money was there so it is like our life is back on track so everybody feels good that they got their money. Everybody feels good that we got the money.”
And they got that money only after their plight was exposed on TV. A story
that bothered FFB President Bertie Chimilio and today when we met him leaving the bank - he lashed out.
Dr. Bertie Chimilio, FFB President
“You did me an injustice yesterday Keith, you did me an injustice yesterday. Everything is straightened out. I have nothing to say. You did me an injustice and I never like it.”
Keith Swift,
So now the players are getting their money?
Dr. Bertie Chimilio,
“The players know what are happening, don’t worry about that.”
And while Deon, Ian, and Ali got their money – their problems aren’t over. Chimilio is still the most powerful man in football in Belize and the word is that he wants an apology.
Ali Thurton,
“He says we owe an apology but I don’t see why we owe him an apology because we only spoke out to get our money. We went on the show to get our money. We don’t think we did anything out of the way that would hurt nobody. I don’t hold nothing against Chimilio but I just did because I was frustrated and I wanted my money. That is why I went to the media.”
Keith Swift,
Do you see yourself playing on another national team?
Deon McCauley,
“Well if the country wants to see me
out there and the President wants me back, even though what went on yesterday, it is his thing because he is the boss and if he says Deon comes back, I definitely will be there but if he cuts his style and say we can’t come back, well we can’t do anything about that.”
Keith Swift,
Do you think you owe him an apology?
Deon McCauley,
“Well I talked for my right. I have a right and I talked for it. If I didn’t talk maybe I wouldn’t have gotten my money so I don’t think I owe nobody no apology.”
Ian Gaynair,
“To a certain extent I think we should and to a certain extent I think we shouldn’t. I would apologize to the man because he is the President, he runs football, and for me to continue I would have to apologize to the man because the man told me I am young, I don’t know what is out here and he said he will guide us and stuff.”
And in that context, with their football careers ahead of them, Ian and Deon need Bertie Chimilio more than they did the $9,000.
As we understand it, all the players got paid.
