By Iste S. Leopoldo
THE OPENING day of the 13th Aboitiz Cup was hit by a controversy after FCIC-Lapu-Lapu walked out of their 17-Under match against Abellana National School at the Aboitiz Sports Field.
Though he got the win the easy way, ANS coach Francis Ramirez isn’t pleased.
The reason? ANS learned only yesterday that one of their players, Johnrey Nieves, has been suspended for a year by the Cebu Football Association (CFA).
Nieves, who helped ANS defend their title in the Milo Little Olympics football, spent the entire game on the bench after CFA referees committee chairman Eugene Ynclino told Ramirez about his suspension due to his “violent conduct” during the Tredtell Cup last summer.
“Nieves has a pending one-year suspension from the CFA board when he accumulated two red cards during the Tredtell Cup. He will not be allowed to join in all CFA-sanctioned tournaments,” Ynclino said.
Ramirez said they could have accepted the decision if they were given a letter. He said it should have been served during the opening ceremony so they can have time to file an appeal.
Nieves played in ANS’s 2-0 win over the University of Southern Philippines in the opening day of the Aboitiz Cup last Aug. 29.
“Usik-usik lang ta ug train aning mga bata-a and in the end maglingkod ra diay sila for no reason at all. The player has the right to be informed and the right to appeal,” Ramirez said.
During the game, Ynclino got another problem to solve after FCIC Lapu-Lapu walked out.
Jake Moreno scored first before Dan Marnell Villarico got the equalizer for ANS from a penalty.
FCIC Lapu-Lapu was called for another penalty in the final minute and while the referee was giving the kick, team manager and former CFA board member Manfred Shuwerk questioned the call and his team abandoned the game.
“The referees made several bad calls, the decision was unfair,” Schuwerk said.
According to Ynclino, the abandonment of FCIC-Lapu-Lapu will possibly lead to the team’s ban for the entire season.
Sun Star Cebu
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