Football: FIFA bans Belize over govt interference

Fifa suspended the FFB after it was told by the government that no security would be provided for upcoming game.

MIAMI: Fifa has suspended Belize from international football with immediate effect because of “severe government interference.” World football governing body said in a statement that its emergency committee had issued the ban. It means the return-leg of Belize’s World Cup qualifier against Montserrat, scheduled for tomorrow, has been postponed. Fifa had warned sanctions could be on the way after the government said they no longer recognised the Belize Football Federation (FFB) or the national team. Initially Fifa had given the parties until June 30 to resolve the dispute but suspended the FFB after the federation was told by the government that no security would be provided for tomorrow’s game.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 19th, 2011.