The Premier League of Belize is the highest competitive football league in Belize. It was founded on 28 December 2011[1] after the merger between the Belize Premier Football League and the Super League of Belize.
 | |
| Founded | 28 December 2011 |
|---|---|
| Country |  Belize |
| Confederation | CONCACAF |
| Number of teams | 8 |
| Level on pyramid | 1 |
| International cup(s) | CONCACAF Central American Cup CONCACAF Champions Cup |
| Current champions | Verdes F.C. (2022–23 Closing) |
| Most championships | Belmopan Bandits (9) |
| Website | premierleagueofbelize.com |
| Current: 2022–23 Premier League of Belize | |
History edit
The formation of the league was a combination of Belize's suspension by FIFA and the Belize Premier Football League withdrawing from the Football Federation of Belize.[2][3] It was decided that a brand new top league was to be formed, the winner of which would represent Belize in the CONCACAF Champions League.
Due to the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2019–20 Premier League of Belize closing season was cancelled after the eighth round of games and a winner was not crowned.[4]
The Premier League of Belize (PLB) was suspended from administering the 2021–22 season by the Football Federation of Belize (FFB). The FFB administered the highest competitive football league in the country for this season, and sanctioned the 2021–22 FFB Top League.[5] The PLB returned for the 2022–23 season.[6]
Officials edit
On 6 January 2012 the current President of the League was announced as Jaime O. Perdomo Jr, the vice-president as Al Westby and the members being Celso Carcamo, Wilhelm Miguel and Onan McLean.[7]
After election problems had left the league inactive for the whole of the 2021–22 season, on 2 June 2022 the league elected a new Executive in preparation for the 2022–23 season. Ian Haylock was elected as president, with Godfrey Arzu as vice-president. Also elected were Karol Маldоnаdо Сlаrо, as Fеmаlе Ехесutіvе Меmbеr and Lorin Frazer and Јоrdаn Zаbаnеh, as Executive Members.[8]
Current Teams (2022–23 Closing Season) edit
League champions edit
Titles by team edit
| Team | Champions | Runner-Up |
|---|---|---|
| Belmopan Bandits | 9 | 4 |
| Verdes | 4 | 4 |
| Police United | 2 | 4 |
| Placencia Assassins | 1 | 1 |
| San Pedro Pirates | 1 | 1 |
| Altitude | 1 | 0 |
| Belize Defence Force | 0 | 2 |
| FC Belize | 0 | 2 |
Awards edit
Best Young Player edit
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Best Coach edit
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Top 5 all-time scorers edit
| Rank | Player | Team(s) | Goals* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daniel Jimenez
|
Belize Defence Force Belmopan Bandits Police United |
73 |
| 2 | Jarret Davis
|
FC Belize Verdes |
71 |
| 3 | Jeromy James
|
Belmopan Bandits FC Belize Verdes |
69 |
| 4 | Alexander Peters
|
Freedom Fighters Placencia Assassins |
58 |
| 5 |  Georgie Welcome
|
Belmopan Bandits | 53 |
* Includes playoff goals.
References edit
- ^ "FFB electoral committee on "Top League" elections". Amandala Online. January 10, 2012. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
- ^ "FIFA suspends Belize". Amandala Online. June 21, 2011. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
- ^ "BPFL confirms withdrawal from FFB". Amandala Online. May 13, 2011. Archived from the original on November 15, 2013. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
- ^ "Belize's semi-pro basketball and football leagues cancelled due to COVID-19". San Pedro Sun. April 20, 2020. Archived from the original on April 26, 2020. Retrieved July 3, 2022.
- ^ "Football strife; Bandits not happy with FFB". Amandala Online. October 20, 2021. Archived from the original on December 6, 2021. Retrieved July 3, 2022.
- ^ "Premier League of Belize to kick off on July 23". Breaking Belize News. June 2, 2022. Archived from the original on June 2, 2022. Retrieved July 3, 2022.
- ^ "FFB electoral committee on "Top League" elections". Amandala Online. January 10, 2012. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
- ^ "The Premier League of Belize (PLB) elects a new executive". Breaking Belize News. June 13, 2022. Archived from the original on June 26, 2022. Retrieved July 3, 2022.
External links edit
- Belize - List of Champions, RSSSF.com