FFB Condemns Player After Dog Kicked at PLB Final

The Football Federation of Belize “unequivocally condemned” the kicking of a dog during Saturday night’s Premier League of Belize (PLB) Opening Season Finals match. The incident was captured in a video and triggered widespread public outrage.

In an immediate release, the FFB said the incident occurred during the match between Progresso FC and Verdes FC in Benque Viejo, Cayo District, and described it as “unacceptable and contrary to the values and principles of football.”

Video footage posted online shows a dog in the field of play before player Latrell Middleton is seen kicking the animal. The act was witnessed by spectators at the stadium and viewers watching the match.

“The Football Federation of Belize unequivocally condemns any form of abuse or mistreatment of animals,” FFB added.

The FFB said the matter will be referred to its Disciplinary Committee, which will review the incident and determine whether sanctions will be imposed.

The incident received strong reactions from the public online. One social media user wrote, “If you ever wondered why Belize has so many cases of animal abuse, that incident was a reflection of our society.”

Another commenter criticised both the player and match organisers, saying the presence of a loose dog at a championship match pointed to “a serious lapse in responsibility.” The user added, “A stadium environment of this magnitude is not suitable for an unattended animal, both for the dog’s safety and for the safety of players and spectators. The league and event organisers should be held accountable for ensuring proper security and protocols, as an animal roaming freely in such a setting poses potential health and safety risks.”