FIFA's Emergency Committee has temporarily lifted the suspension of Belize's football federation until 15 August, which will allow the second leg of their preliminary round match against Montserrat to go forward. FIFA suspended the FFB from international competition after the Belizean government ruled that the FFB was no longer authorized to represent the country in international competitions and then refused to offer security arrangements for the second leg match in Belize. That match will now be played outside of the country in order to avoid any possibility of a further clash between the government and the federation.
Belize look like strong favorites to advance to the group stages of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying, but they are still in danger of being excluded from the competition. It's clear that FIFA is giving both sides a chance to come to an agreement, andt it's also clear that FIFA will not permit the government to force out the FFB leadership. FIFA stated that if the two parties are unable to reach an agreement by the middle of next month, Belize will once again be suspended from international competition.
The big -- and forgotten -- losers of this mess are the Belizeans, who once again have to see their national team play a "home" qualifier in another country.
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