The silence is deafening: San Pedro Pirates don’t show up to play Verdes in Belmopan on Wednesday night; it’s now Thursday afternoon and no word from the PLB

Photo Credit: Verdes

By Rubén Morales Iglesias: Verdes showed up to play San Pedro Pirates in Belmopan, but the Pirates were nowhere near the Isidoro Beaton Stadium on Wednesday night. Nearly an entire day has passed, and no word is forthcoming from the Premier League of Belize (PLB) as to the present situation.

“TO OUR FANS: We are here. No other team is here. WE READY. VERDES FOR LIFE. NO APOLOGIES,” Verdes posted on social media on Wednesday night from the Isidoro Beaton Stadium in capital Belmopan.

Their match, which was originally to have been played at San Pedro on Saturday, April 8, was rescheduled for Wednesday in Belmopan, according to a ruling by the Premier League of Belize’s Disciplinary Committee.

So, it stands to reason Verdes gained the three points again, but the PLB hasn’t confirmed that yet. The game wasn’t played on April 8 due to a referees’ controversy regarding after-game accommodation. The Disciplinary Committee in reviewing the case determined San Pedro had forfeited and awarded the three points to Verdes.

The Pirates, however, appealed the decision to the Football Federation of Belize’s (FFB) Appeals Committee. That committee reversed the Disciplinary Committee’s decision and ordered the Disciplinary Committee to revisit the case. After much deliberation and a two-week delay to the semifinals, the Disciplinary Committee ruled that the game should be played in Belmopan last night. However, after threatening to re-appeal, the San Pedro Pirates appeared not to have done so, otherwise Verdes wouldn’t have presented themselves at the Isidoro.

Police security officers look on as Verdes await game time at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium in Belmopan on Wednesday night. (Photo Credit: Verdes FC)

The parties concerned have been rather quiet, with the exception of Verdes posting that they were at the Isidoro Beaton on Wednesday night. The PLB is not answering calls, nor have they posted anything on social media nor sent any email (not that they have done so this season) with a press release stating what the situation is.

Only Verdes have posted that it’s time to decide a champion showing a flyer that has the logos of the four semifinalists: Verdes, San Pedro Pirates, Port Layola, Progresso.

Port Layola FC only reposted Verdes’ Wednesday night post. Their other posts are about the Belize District Football Associations championship in which they have also advanced to the semifinals.

Progresso’s last post, a repost of the PLB’s post that the Disciplinary Committee’s would make a decision on Friday night, was made on Friday, May 5.

San Pedro’s last post was on April 29. They did make another post on May 1, but that is on a footvolley marathon.

The PLB’s last post, on the Disciplinary Committee’s decision, was made on Saturday, May 6.

The silence is deafening.