“It’s Not Safe Anymore”: Referees Now Quitting After Repeated Assaults

Repeated incidents of abuse by fans and players are driving football referees in Belize to quit. Veteran referee Victor Caliz has announced he is stepping down after nearly seven years, citing repeated assaults and a lack of protection for match officials.

Caliz explained that the current system leaves referees more vulnerable to harm than protected, and that he cannot risk a third incident. “It’s not safe anymore. I have been assaulted two times already. The way the system is set up right now, it’s easier for a referee to be harmed again than to be safe,” he said.

He recalled his most recent assault, which occurred after a match when a fan from the losing team attacked him and others. “The area that we were, we expected that there would have been more security,” he said.

Caliz described the incidents as “traumatising”, adding that threats and intimidation now follow referees every time they step onto the field. Although he loves officiating, Caliz said the hostility from players and fans has grown out of control, and he must now prioritise his safety.

The problem is not limited to senior officials. Referees at all levels, from youth games to the Premier League of Belize, report ongoing verbal and physical abuse. Young referees, some as young as 13, are often discouraged by insults from coaches and spectators.

Concerns about accountability have also surfaced. Referees allege that Premier League of Belize president and Verdes FC owner Ian Haylock has repeatedly insulted and cursed at match officials during and after games. While referees are instructed to file reports, they say no action is ever taken.

With referees now openly considering quitting, the future of Belizean football is uncertain. “A lot of faces may not be around next season,” one referee warned. “We choose our safety and family over mistreatment and abuse.”