In March the Football Federation fired national team coach Palmiro
Salas after questions arose about his immigration status. Well you can say what
you want about Salas, who is a Guatemalan by nationality, but he is the only
coach that has led a Belize football selection to victory in a World Cup qualifying
match. He did that in February when Belize beat St. Kitts 3 to 1 in game one
in Guatemala. That was the only game Salas coached and the only game we won.
Salas was fired in March and he then quietly left the country and the team he
led to victory.
But Palmiro Salas is back and he is calling on the Football Federation
to show him the money. He showed us a check from the FFB for $5,000 but he says
the FFB owes him $26,000. He’s upset since the players got more than he
did.
Palmiro Salas, Former National Team Coach
“Me come only for a solution in Belize, my money. The federation paid
players, the staffing coach, contracted a new coach for other selections, and
they only paid me $5,000. It is not correct.”
Keith Swift,
How much were you promised?
Palmiro Salas,
“The man didn’t pay me for six months and the bonus for qualifying
to confront Mexico. It is $26,000 and now he only gave me $5,000.”
Keith Swift,
So you’re saying that for the six months you trained the team you did
not get paid?
Palmiro Salas,
“No. The controversy now is if I am a liar or is the federation a
liar. I love Belize, supported the team, prepared the team, the team won and
advanced to a new level and they only gave me $5,000. It is not correct, please
pay me my money Bertie. The Federation, clean your office, clean your mind,
clean your heart – please pay the money mein.”
Palmiro Salas says he has none of this in writing and that it was all
a gentleman’s agreement with FFB President Bertie Chimilio. Chimilio today
told us he has no comment. Palmiro artfully dodged our questions about his immigration
status. He no longer lives in Belize but says he had been coaching in Belize
since 1992 and has been the head coach of 4 semi-pro teams. He says he travelled
to and from Belize in 6 month intervals. He added that if the FFB doesn’t
pay up, he says he’ll take them to court.
Email
Print