THE Cebu Football Association (CFA) board has decided to ban the FC Inter-Club (FCIC) Lapu-Lapu Boys 17 squad for three years from all CFA-sanctioned events after they walked out of their opening match against Abellana National School (ANS) Pomeroy in the 13th Aboitiz Football Cup last Saturday.
The FCIC led by team manager Manfred Schuwerk abandoned the game with the score tied at 1-all with just 38 seconds to protest a linesman’s call after FCIC's Jonathan Sabalones tackled ANS' Rogelio Castillon Jr. from behind which sent both players sprawling on the field.
Schuwerk told match officials then that they are walking out because they are being cheated by the unfair calls.
The next day, he e-mailed the CFA stating his intent to pull out two other FCIC squads, the Boys 14 and Boys 12 divisions.
Because the withdrawal was made after the event’s opening date, the CFA board has meted the FCIC Boys 14 and 12 squads six months suspension in accordance with the ground rules.
Richard Montayre, CFA president, however, said they would still wait for a formal letter of withdrawal from the FCIC.
Montayre said the suspension was based on the report made by the referees. It will be served this weekend and the FCIC will be given a month to appeal.
Schuwerk said he would wait for a copy of the decision before making a comment but initially said that “if that is their decision, then it is unacceptable.”
However, he said the CFA could say whatever they want to say and that they just don't want to have anything to do with the association anymore.
“I have already informed the PFF (Philippine Football Federation) about this. They did not even follow PFF procedures in making the decision. We should have been called and they should have questioned the referees,” Schuwerk said.
Montayre said they have been trying to reach Schuwerk and his coaches but failed.
Schuwerk maintained that the linesman had made a mistake when he intentionally changed his decision at the last minute as seen in a video of the game, which he is willing to show. According to the FCIC team manager, the linesman first called offside then changed his call to foul and penalty.
“That is cheating,” Schuwerk said, claiming that the CFA has all his numbers as well as his email address.
However, Montayre said that the FCIC did not need to walk out of the match to protest the call.
“We sent them copies of the tournament ground rules. All is stated there, punishment for a walkout and how to make a protest. If they chose not to read that then it's not our fault,” Montayre stressed.
inquirer.net
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
The sanction imposed by the CFA Board is very harsh. It should be reviewed.3 years and for all sanctioned events!
ReplyDeleteWhat Disciplinary Code was applied to define sanctions to be imposed and the procedure to be observed?
The CFA Board is the Executive Branch. The Executive Branch cannot be at the same the judicial branch. This is a blatant disregard to FIFA, AFC and PFF Governing Laws which the CFA is mandated to comply with. FIFA AFC and PFF Laws specifically prohibits any member of the Executive Branch ( CFA Board) and any member of any CFA standing Committee to be part of the disciplinary and Appeals Committee.
If FCIC would consider an appeal to whom will they appeal to? Will they appeal to the Board?
The appeal must be heard by another independent body and the Board again can not act as the Disciplinary Committee at the same time the Appeals Committee.
Completely ridiculous!