7 News Belize

Belize Backed Blatter, So What Now?
posted (June 3, 2015)

And while the group organising the National Football selection held their press conference at FFB headquarters in Belmopan today – they strictly did not want to talk about FFB or FIFA affairs – public relations officer John Palacio made that crystal clear in a disclaimer to the press:

Aaron John Palacio - Public Relations, FFB

"Today's press conference is not about any money factor and just have to make mention who the president pull for at FIFA and so on and so forth. Today's press conference is on showcasing guys who will be representing this country. So any personal FIFA this, FIFA that, check stubs this - not today."

Palacio repeated that warning twice, saying he didn't want any stone throwing.

We played along because we knew that the person who could and should answer hose questions was at the airport where our camera was waiting.

That is FFB President, Ruperto Vicente. He voted for Sepp Blatter at the FIFA Congress last week – and then Blatter, surrounded by scandal announced that he would be stepping down.

We asked him what's next for football now that the man who he voted for won't be around much longer. Here's what he said:

Ruperto Vicente - President, FFB

"Reflecting on what president Blatter said when he won the elections is that he was going to take responsibility for what goes on at FIFA. Since most people and countries wanted him to take the responsibility, he declared that he was going to take the responsibility. He also declared that we need to take back FIFA, we need to rescue FIFA. We voted on that fact. I voted on the fact as I said before, that he was into development and as a developing nation - and we developing in football we also needed support in development. I also said, that I voted for president Blatter giving him the opportunity and the burden on him to clean up FIFA. Now, when I say clean up I didn't know the clean up would have started with him. I believe looking at what is going on, that he had done the honourable thing of resigning and allowing someone else to move on with the organisation. Now FIFA needs to move on, football is the most powerful sport in the world and the most popular and FIFA needs to move on with the sports."

Daniel Ortiz

"Sir, what happens now that the reasons we voted for him are now in the trash because he has resigned. What is our position at this time? And how will his stepping down affect football here in terms of our goals and fit in with FIFA's agenda?"

Ruperto Vicente

"What has happened will not affect football development in any country. We will continue to get FIFA's support in football development."

Daniel Ortiz

"Is there any sort, as far you're aware, persons in Belizean football who are satisfied that he has made this decision - those person who may have disagreed with you in the decision to vote for him in the first place?"

Ruperto Vicente

"Well, in any situation and in any election, they're going to be those who support and those who oppose. And that is given and part of life and I have to respect that. Yes, they are going to be people who are pleased that president Blatter is gone. And there are going to be those who are sad that he left."

Vice President Sergio Chuc apparently did not support Blatter as he posted this picture along with Prince Ali Bin Hussein on the eve of the election. We are told that three of thefour current executive member supported Prince Ali, while only Ruperto supported Blatter.

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