The F.F.B. Stadium in Belmopan came alive on Friday night with football fans hoping for a Belize National team win against Nicaragua. But the result was quite the opposite, team Belize lost to Nicaragua in the 2026 World Cup Qualifier match, four goals to zero. Would the results have been different if three of the national team’s players did not sit out the game in protest? News Five’s Paul Lopez reports.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
On Friday night, the Belize National Football team made its debut in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. They went up against Nicaragua’s national team. This was Nicaragua’s second match in the group. They played and won their first game against Montserrat. According to the latest FIFA ranking, Belize is sitting at the one hundred and eighty second position. Here is what the starting lineup looked like for both teams.
CONCACAF Announcer
“Let’s take a look at the lineup by the home national team. Belize with Tillett in the goal. Lopez, Trapp, Martinez, Ayala, four in the back. Myvett, Polanco and Avila in the middle in the midfield. Guerra, Bernandez and Moss will be three men in charge of producing goal for the team coach, David Perez. Let’s take a look at the starting lineup for Nicaragua. Rodriguez in goal. Five in the back with Quijsno, Flete, Serapio, Perez, Avecado. Four midfield is Rodriguez on the right, Moldskred, Montes in the middle, Hernandez on the left. On the front Number nine, Jaimee Moreno.”
The starting whistle is blown, and the game is underway with an early position by Nicaragua. Eight minutes and forty seconds in. Nicaragua in possession. Pass to number three in midfield. He dropped it inside to Montes who was unable to get a clean shot off. Spot kick for Nicaragua in the fourteen minutes. A kick to Hernandez, he got around Belize’s defender, gets the header and goalkeeper Tillett was able to make the stop. Twenty-six minutes in and Belize was struggling to get the ball beyond midfield, while Nicaragua was dominating possessions and getting more shots towards the goal. A pass through the middle found Moldskred near the goal. He fired, and Tillet again with the spot. A second attempt towards the goal hit the crossbar. Immediately following that play, Belize gained possession. Moss to Avila on the right wing. Avila sprinted down the field, into the penalty box. Avila shot the ball towards the goal. It bounced off the goalpost and spun towards Bernardez in front of the goal. But he was unable to finish for Belize.
Nicaragua scored its first goal thirty-nine minutes into the game, with a bullet from Hernandez off the header from a Belizean defender. Belize, down by one.
Jordy Polanco with one final attempt before the end of the first half to tie the game. Polanco dropped the ball to the far post, and no one was there to get it. That’s how the first half ended. A dominant forty-five minutes for Nicaragua. A Belize team that was unable to match, respond, and tie the game.
Fifty-three minutes into this one. Hernandez for Nicaragua all alone just outside the penalty box. He got the pass and pushed towards the goal. A hard tackle by Eugene Martinez sent Hernandez to the ground. The referee called a foul inside the penalty box, awarding Nicaragua with a penalty shot. With that shot they went up two goal to none.
Goal number three for Nicaragua came ten minutes. Medina to Moreno, Moreno with the quick touch to an open Hernandez, again on top of the penalty box. Hernandez saw the opening and placed the ball into the net. Down three goals with twenty-five minutes of play time left on the clock, Belize’s coach David Perez made several changes. Among them, he replaced starter and midfielder, Jordy Polanco, much to the dismay of Belizean fans as the crowd began booing the coach.
Nicaragua’s fourth and final goal in this match against Belize was made at the tail end of the game. Acevedo went down inside the penalty box off a hard tackle, leading to the second penalty shot in the game awarded to Nicaragua. Moreno took the penalty and scored.
We heard from team Belize immediately following the game.
David Perez
David Perez, Head Coach, Belize National Football Team
“We competed very well during the first half. I think quite well, with tactical disorders and adjustments that we had to correct. But, well, the second half cost us a little more. Those two changes, well, in the end they are two quality changes and, well, we must accept them.”
Nahjib Guerra
Nahjib Guerra, Belize National Football Team Player
“It’s very, very tough last because it’s a loss at home, so I believe we need to go back to the drawing board. We, as coach said, we already seen how Diana plays, so it’s just for us to focus on our strength and build more on our weakness because we have a good team, but, uh, the big advantage at Nicaragua, however, also is they had players of better quality playing in Europe. In bigger leagues.”
And can the blame for this massive home field loss be placed on three players who decided to sit out the game. Fans who are familiar with the team noted during play time that Michael Salazar, Nanah Mensah and Deshawon Nembhard were not on Saturday night’s rotation. According to a statement issued by the Football Federation of Belize shortly after the defeat, these three players will have to face a disciplinary committee because they decided to sit-out the game only four hours before playtime. They cited contractual differences. The F.F.B. says their decision significantly impacted the team’s performance. On their part, the three players issued a joint press release stating that it was a difficult decision and that they had to take a stand against the continued mistreatment players have received at the hands of the F.F.B. The release refers to unprofessional communication, lack of organization, poor conditions and accommodations. They play Guyana this weekend.
Goodnight and welcome to another edition of Sports Monday, I am Paul Lopez. The Belize Elite Basketball League’s finals have been set.
The Benny’s Belize Hurricanes will face off against the Belize City Defenders. The Defenders secured their spot in the finals on Friday night after bringing down the San Pedro Tiger Sharks inside the Belize City Civic Center. It was a close one. The Defenders only defeated the Tiger Sharks by three points. The first quarter saw both teams scoring equal points. The Defenders outscored the Tiger Sharks by four points in the second quarter and three points in the third. But that still did not deter the San Pedro Tiger Sharks as they were looking to repeat their trip to the finals. The Tiger Sharks outscored the Defenders in the final quarter by four points. This one came down to the last twenty seconds.
Down by one point, Tiger Sharks was in possession of the Ball. Conorque threw it in to Williams. He found Arana, Arana back to Williams. Williams tried to drive and he is guarded heavily. He went back to Arana and Arana turned over the ball. There is a scramble for the ball and on the other end, John Kelly extended the Defenders’ lead to three points. Coach Rico Black called an immediate timeout and protested a non-call by the referees.
After review, the initial decision was upheld, and Sharks had possession with four point seven seconds left on the clock. Thurton threw the ball in, Conorque tried to find Williams and ended up turning over the ball on the most critical play of the game.
We spoke with a couple of the players following the playoff victory.
Devon Campbell
Devon Campbell, Belize City Defenders
“It means a lot for us. It gives us a chance to win the championship and everybody in the city wants to see the two city teams in the championship. So, this is big, it makes basketball great again.”
Nigel Jones
Nigel Jones, Belize City Defenders
“Last year it didn’t end how we wanted it. We had a couple set backs last year and we just wanted to come back and like you said it is a redemption tour for us and the same way we went out last year we want to take out everybody one by one this year. So we handled our business in San Pedro this first round. Now we have Hurricanes. We will just go out and keep out and keep fighting the way we are and we feel like we can handle business in the finals.”
And, as the Belize City Defenders prepare to face off against the B.E.B.L. Defending Champions, the Benny’s Belize Hurricanes, the nation’s Under-Eighteen Basketball Team is on its way home from Argentina after placing eight in the 2024 FIBA AmeriCup. After they were unable to win their FIBA World Cup qualifier match on Friday, team Belize fell to Venezuela on Saturday in a game that went to overtime and ended eight-six to eighty points. And then on Sunday, they faced off against Puerto Rico and fell to that team in a game that ended seventy-nine to forty-nine points. Eight teams competed in the AmeriCup tournament. Belize finished in the last position.
In Cycling, Jyven Gonzalez secured a silver medal in the Under-Twenty-Three Central American Honduras Tour. The eighty-mile race was held on Sunday.
Two hours and twenty-eight minutes into the race and Jyven Gonzalez was the only Belizean among a lead group of six riders. His name rang through the ears of spectators as the announcers kept repeating it in awe of his endurance. But, twenty minutes later, Gonzalez experiences some mechanical issues and fell behind. The lead group was now down to four. And with just a mile left in the race, Gonzalez made a surprising come back. Gonzalez sprinted to the finish line behind the winner, Costa Rican, Kenny Chavez.
Jyven Gonzalez
Jyven Gonzalez, Belizean Cyclist
“Dah mih wah solid race today. Finally could talk in a little creole. I had to talk English for so long. But yeah, dah mih wah supper hard race. This was no joke, but everybody know from my physic I am not a pure climber. But I had to just fight through and push myself.”
From cycling we move into some football action. We continue our coverage of the Anthony Mahler Under -Thirteen Mundialito Tournament.
Tonight, we bring you highlights from a matchup between Ebony Lake F.C and Phoenix F.C. Ebony Lake sought to make a statement early in this one. In the first of three periods they scored three goals. The first goal was scored by Edgar Diaz Junior two minutes into playtime. Diaz fired from the center field line. The goalkeeper was unable to keep it in his hands.
Two minutes later, Denzi Jones puts in this beautiful left foot kick that proves to once again be too much for the goalkeeper. And just a minute later Jones again, was able to secure a third goal for Ebony Lake.
Phoenix F.C did not go down without a fight. It took them thirty-five minutes, but just before the game-ending whistle was blown Camron Gordon secured a goal for his team. That one ended three goals to one, in favor of Ebony Lake F.C.
And finally, for tonight, here is a sporting discipline that does not get much coverage in Belize, table tennis. The Belize Table Tennis Association hosted its Junior Table Tennis Tournament over the weekend inside the Swift Hall. Each competitor in the tournament took turns to play against each other. The games then went on elimination rounds. Ten-year-old Jorge Espat emerged victorious as the tournament champion. We send our congratulations to the organizers on a successful tournament.
Well folks that is all we have for you in tonight’s coverage of Sports Monday
One man remains hospitalised following a stabbing incident that occurred on Friday night on Central American Boulevard in Belize City.
The incident was the result of an altercation between two men, thirty-seven-year-old Jermaine Grant and forty-two-year-old Windel Anthony. Grant received cuts near the left eye and abrasions to the head.
The incident was caught on camera. The public criticised the police officers who were at the scene for failing to properly control the situation.
When asked about it today, Police Commissioner Chester Williams told reporters that he would not say that the officers did not perform their duties the way they should.
“Sometimes, no matter the training you have, when you confront a situation, you tend to forget that training and you just do what you believe can be done in that instance.”
Williams says he would have shot the man.
“If it were me, from the mere fact that the individual had stabbed the person, the person is on the ground, and he is constantly going after the person and trying to finish off that person, I would have shot him.”
The police officers at the scene had weapons. Williams applauded them for exceeding great restraint.
This morning, Queen Square Primary and Wesley Upper schools in Belize City were evacuated due to a bomb threat at Wesley Upper School. The schools, located across from each other on Dolphin Street, were quickly cleared by law enforcement, and the all-clear was given within thirty minutes. Parents and guardians were notified to pick up their children.
A parent from Queen Square Primary shared, “I received a text about a bomb threat and came immediately to get my child.” A guardian from Wesley Upper mentioned, “I initially thought it was a false alarm but came to ensure my brother’s safety.” Despite varying levels of concern among parents and guardians, the swift response ensured all students were safe.
The Financial Services Commission of Belize (FSC) has achieved a significant milestone by becoming an associate member of the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) as of May 20, 2024.
“This milestone marks a significant step in fostering international cooperation in Belize’s financial services sector.”
IOSCO, recognized as the global standard-setter for securities regulation, serves as the leading international policy forum for securities regulators. It is instrumental in developing, implementing, and promoting adherence to internationally recognized standards for securities regulations. By joining IOSCO, the Belize FSC underscores its commitment to upholding these global standards, thereby enhancing investor confidence and promoting market integrity in Belize.
Claude Haylock, Director General and Deputy Chairman of the FSC, welcomed the news, stating, “We are delighted to join IOSCO as an associate member. This membership will enable us to collaborate more closely with global regulators, share valuable insights, and continue to enhance our regulatory environment to meet international benchmarks.”
The Belize FSC is poised to actively participate in IOSCO’s initiatives, contributing to the collective goal of strengthening securities markets worldwide.
FFB To Take Disciplinary Action Against Three Players
Three football players, Michael Salazar, Nanah Mensah, and Deshown Nembhard, are accusing the Football Federation of Belize of “continued mistreatment.”
The players shared a statement on social media following the FFB’s announcement of its decision to take disciplinary action against the three players. The FFB said that the three players chose not to participate in the June 8th match against the Nicaraguan team. The FFB said, “this decision was made just four hours before kickoff, significantly impacting the team’s performance in tonight’s match.”
In its statement, the FFB said, “The players in question were training with their national team counterparts for over a week. The FFB invested significantly in ensuring optimal conditions for the team, including substantial investments in travel expenses, accommodations, and stipends to support our athletes.”
The statement continued, “The sudden withdrawal of these three players, two of whom were part of the starting eleven, necessitated critical last-minute changes by the coaching staff.”
The FFB said it was disappointed and that the matter would be referred to the Disciplinary and Ethics Committee of the FFB for revision.
The Players’ Response
The three players, Michael Salazar, Nanah Mensah, and Deshown Nembhard, responded to the FFB’s statement on social media. The players said, “While it was an extremely difficult decision, we felt it necessary to take a stance against the continued mistreatment we have received from the Football Federation of Belize. On several occasions over the years, there has been unprofessional communication, lack of organization and poor conditions and accommodations.”
The players said they have “sat down with the FFB multiple times to express our concerns and discuss possible solutions to move forward.”
“However, at this time, nothing has been done to remedy the situation.”
They said that they did not feel it “fair or responsible to continue to be asked to play under such conditions and lack of professionalism.”
“Because of the current state of the actions being taken against us, we will not be able to give specific details at this time, however, when the time is right, we will provide further insight.”
A man was murdered in Belize City on Thursday evening. He has been identified as Alfredo Enrique Rodriquez David. According to Police, a couple that went fishing discovered David’s lifeless body face down at the edge of the seaside in an area near the Port of Belize. When the police arrived at the scene, they discovered a bicycle, a bucket with some fish inside and a brown school bag, all on the edge of the seashore. About one hundred yards away from the items, through a mangrove trail, police discovered David’s lifeless body with multiple gunshot injuries. Several expended shells were retrieved from the scene. We spoke to a relative of David. Here is what she told us that the family last saw him around eight-thirty on Thursday morning.
Voice of: Shantel Serrano
Voice of: Shantel Serrano, Relative of Deceased
“His wife was already concerned form after eleven, because he told his wife he was going to be returning home before lunch. But to her knowledge, or what she though, was that when he was having a good day he would stay out and continue having a good day. So she was saying her husband is probably catching a lot fish. He is being successful so he is trying to finish the day. She became concerned a little after six when it got dark and he did not return. When she was talking to me, because I came home from work around after four. She was talking to me and she was concerned about him not return. So I told her relax she must have gone to visit someone or whatever the case may be. But she was very fidgety, up and down, could not sit down and I was wondering why. She was really worried so I told her just relax, if a certain time come she will reach. We saw Love News posted they found a body and the description was exactly the way he left home. As she saw that she came running up the stairs to tell me. When I went and saw the post, I don’t know how I skipped that, I was just looking at the details so I didn’t realize that until when we came to the police station and that is what they told us and we were like what, shot? My thing was when they found the body I thought because of the sting he got maybe he caught cramp, maybe he drown. But when we realize it is a police case then we wondered why and that is when we found out it was a shot. Why, why when Louis was someone if Louis doesn’t know you he would pass and speak to you. Louis speaks very English very few, he speaks mostly Spanish. He is a Honduran he doesn’t mingle a lot and he is a life of the party when it comes to cultural. Drumming’s he was there, but he is not a person that had a problem with anybody. Louis has been in Belize for many years, and you could ask the police they have never had to pick up Louis for no reason.”
The lifeless body of sixty-one-year-old Gilbert Flowers was found floating off Deadman Caye on Tuesday. Flowers, a former resident of Mullins River Village, who moved to Belize City a few years ago, spent most of his days at sea as a fisherman. Last week, he and two other men travelled to the area to prepare their gears ahead of the opening of the lobster season. Flowers, however, went missing on Saturday under what his family is describing as mysterious circumstances. His body was not found until three days later in a mangrove area not too far from where he was staying. Flowers’ relatives are tonight seeking answers as they wait for a postmortem to be concluded on his body. We spoke with his nephew, Albert Magdaleno who told us that reports of his uncle’s death came as a shock to them.
Albert Magdaleno
Albert Magdaleno, Nephew of Deceased
“At this moment everything is still mystery because for the past three to four years he has been working out at sea. He used to regularly send fish for me, so I get my fish supplies and I am telling you, big snapper, the man handle me. But this week, I think it was Monday or Tuesday, one of his co-worker friends called me and said boy I have bad news for you. They found your uncle floating up in the sea dead. I asked how, because he is a man known to the seas. He is originally from Mullins River, came to live in Belize City. When he came to live in Belize City he use to work on those boats where they go and dig sand from Robinson point and brought it to sell. So, sea and working on the seas dah nothing new for him. So to hear he drowned is like what. So, we are still trying to gather information. All we know is that the Coast Guard found his body somewhere out on Turneffe and then they brought in his body and took it to Burrel Boom for postmortem. I don’t know if it happened as yet. But from that point, we don’t know anything else.”
Paul Lopez
“From your knowledge, was there a period where he was missing?”
Albert Magdaleno
“For about three days until they made it publicly known that the was missing and then they called in the coast guard and the gentle men that were out there assisted to help find his body.”
Paul Lopez
“Do you know if anybody else was out there?”
Albert Magdaleno
“From what I heard, him and two other guys, cause they do lobster traps for cray fish, and so they have to prep the traps. It is only three of them that was supposed to be on the island. But I know his friend is very upset because he suspect that something went adrift, it is not normal.”
An alleged gunman also appeared before Justice Candace Nanton today where the Crown closed its case in a trial for attempted murder. Kareem Franklin is accused of trying to kill a pair of police officers during a drive-by shooting that took place on Mahogany Street in March 2016. Despite being caught on surveillance footage with a firearm in his hands, Franklin denies that he was ever on the scene and fired shots at the officers. Franklin is on trial for the attempted murder of P.C. Stephen Choco and Joseph Sutherland. It is alleged that the policemen were on motorcycle patrol on Mahogany Street when they came across Franklin who was also a passenger on a motorcycle. The driver of the motorcycle was signaled to pull over. Instead of doing so, the driver sped off and a pursuit ensued. That’s when Franklin reportedly produced a handgun and opened fire in the direction of the officers. Franklin claims that on the day of the incident, he was at home and around one o’clock that afternoon, he went over to a football field where his mother was watching him play football. He says that’s when they heard the gunshots. Kareem Franklin is being represented by attorney Ronnel Gonzalez. Franklin is on remand at the Belize Central Prison.
A retired police sergeant has been convicted of the rape of a child and sexual assault and tonight he is on remand at the Belize Central Prison until he is sentenced on July sixteenth. Earlier today in the High Court of Justice Candace Nanton, the sixty-six-year-old former officer was found guilty of molesting and raping his seven-year-old stepdaughter. The crown was able to prove the charges during the testimony of the child with corroborating evidence from the little girl’s mother, as well as a teacher whom she confided in. The minor, who testified in camera, told the court that sometime between October fifth and December seventeenth, 2021, her stepfather raped her. A few months later, in April 2022, he molested her. Justice Nanton, in finding the stepfather guilty, concluded that the testimonies of the child, her mother and teacher only strengthened the prosecution’s case. The retired policeman denied the allegations and told the court that the entire story was fabricated. Ahead of his sentencing, a victim impact assessment, as well as a social inquiry report and psychiatric evaluation have been ordered.
