Photo Credit: Progresso FC
By Rubén Morales Iglesias: Progresso FC have issued an official apology following the incident in Saturday night’s Premier League of Belize (PLB) Opening Season Final at the Edmund Marshalleck Stadium in Benque Viejo del Carmen on Saturday, December 13, 2025, where their striker Latrell Middleton was observed kicking a stray dog during a tense interruption in the 84th minute.
“Progresso FC deeply regrets what occurred and offers a sincere apology to the public,” the PLB subchampions said in a statement.
“As a club, we do not condone animal cruelty in any form. The actions seen in the footage do not reflect the values, principles, or standards that Progresso FC stands for. We firmly believe in sportsmanship, respect, and responsibility, both on and off the field, and we respect all living beings.”
The incident unfolded amidst a prolonged stoppage. Verdes’ Krisean Lopez had just been shown a red card for dissent after vociferous complaints to the referee, sparking heated reactions. At the same time, Progresso’s Richard Gillett came on for Marlon Gutierrez, who had suffered a sprained leg from a hard tackle by Richard Monges. Gutierrez had been left unattended on the pitch for a while before being rushed by ambulance to the San Ignacio Hospital. Amidst this delay and confusion, a dog that had somehow entered the stadium wandered onto the pitch and roamed among the players. It was then that Middleton, this season’s top scorer who had failed to find the net in either leg of the final, boiled over in frustration and kicked the animal. However one looks at it, the act was wrong, and it drew immediate concern from fans and television viewers.
Middleton was immediately red carded and ejected from the match. He will more than likely receive a sanction from the Football Federation of Belize. Sanctions might also be levied on Verdes for the dog being on the pitch.
The Football Federation of Belize (FFB) quickly condemned the incident, invoking Mahatma Gandhi’s words: “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”
“The Football Federation of Belize unequivocally condemns any form of abuse or mistreatment of animals and stresses that such behavior is unacceptable and contrary to the values and principles of football,” the FFB added in a statement which it posted on social media less than hour after the match at 10:13 pm.
FFB officials emphasized that respect, discipline, and responsibility are fundamental to the sport, particularly during high‑profile events such as the PLB Finals.
“The FFB does not, in any way, condone this action,” the statement read. The matter has now been referred to the FFB Disciplinary Committee, which will evaluate the incident and determine any appropriate sanctions.
Progresso FC acknowledged the disciplinary process in its release.
“We understand that the incident is currently under review by the relevant authorities. Progresso FC will cooperate fully with any investigation and will also address the matter internally in accordance with league regulations and our own disciplinary procedures,” Progresso FC said.
“While there is no justification for what occurred, we recognize that emotions can run high in the intensity of a championship match. Progresso FC remains committed to accountability, learning from this incident, and taking steps to ensure greater awareness and responsibility moving forward.”
Both the FFB and Progresso FC reaffirmed their commitment to integrity and professionalism. The FFB stressed their role in “upholding the integrity of the game and ensuring a safe and respectful environment for all participants, officials, supporters, and animals affected by matchday activities.”
Meanwhile, Progresso FC concluded: “We remain dedicated to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and contributing positively to the sport of football in Belize.”
The post Progresso FC apologize for animal incident during PLB Finals appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Photo Credit: Progresso FC By Rubén Morales Iglesias: Progresso FC have issued an official apology following the incident in Saturday night’s Premier League of Belize (PLB) Opening Season Final at the Edmund Marshalleck Stadium in Benque Viejo del Carmen on Saturday, December 13, 2025, where their striker Latrell Middleton was observed kicking a stray dog
The post Progresso FC apologize for animal incident during PLB Finals appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
