By David Gold
August 17 – Belize has been cleared to compete in World Cup qualifying after FIFA removed a threat to suspend the country over alleged Government interference in football affairs.
FIFA lifted the threat as it said Belize’s Sports Ministry had pledged “unconditional support for the national team in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers”.
Belize’s football federation also confirmed that current President Bertie Chimilio, who has a long-standing dispute with the Sports Ministry, would face re-election along with other football officials by December 10.
Belize and Montserrat were the first teams to play a qualifying game for Brazil 2014 in June.
Belize won the game 5-2 but just days later before the return leg of the qualifier, FIFA suspended the team.
FIFA took the action after Belize’s Government said that the national team were not authorised to represent the country internationally, and subsequently refused to provide services and security to Montserrat.
Belize’s World Cup qualifying campaign will resume next month when they begin a group stage with Grenada, Guatemala and St Vincent-Grenadines.
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