GENEVA, Switzerland (AP) — FIFA has suspended the membership of the Football Federation of Belize due to 'severe governmental interference.'
The suspensions means that the second leg match for the 2014 World Cup qualifying match between Belize and Montserrat, due to be played Sunday, has been postponed. Belize won 5-2 in the first leg played in Trinidad on Wednesday.
The tie between Belize and Montserrat was the first stage of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup, which will see 203 nations playoff for 31 places at the World Cup finals to be hosted by Brazil.
A statement on FIFA's website said the decision followed the Belize government's informing the FFB on June 8 that it was "not authorized to represent this country in any local or international competition or in any other forum for football on behalf of the Government, People and Nation of Belize."
FIFA said it had no option but to postpone the match after the Belize government said it would not provide the Federation with security services for the visiting team or match officials.
"Under these circumstances, and due to the interference of the government of Belize, FIFA cannot take the responsibility of letting the match take place," FIFA said.
"The match has therefore been postponed to a new date to be confirmed, but no later than July 10, 2011, provided that the situation is back to normal regarding the FFB and the suspension has been lifted by that date."
If the match isn't played by then, FIFA said Belize will be excluded from the 2014 World Cup.
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