The Loyola Meralco Sparks were happy with their historic victory over Geylang United FC in their opening match in the 2012 Singapore Cup Friday night.
But there was a bit of bad news for the club after it received notice from the Philippine Football Federation barring midfielder Matthew Hartmann from playing in the match, a day before kickoff.
Hartmann has been suspended by the Philippine Football Federation for a year from its sanctioned events because of his departure from the national team in last year’s Southeast Asian Games in the middle of the tournament. The suspension prevents Hartmann from suiting up for Loyola in the United Football League, a PFF-sanctioned competition.
The Loyola braintrust thought that the Singapore Cup stint was not covered by the PFF ban on Hartmann, who was included in the lineup for the game. The football body, however, had a different interpretation.
“Since they allowed Sparks to join the RHB Singapore Cup, they are interpreting it as a sanction by them,” wrote Roxas in a text message to News5.
“We were caught off-guard. The players were disappointed.”
Hartmann was also depressed by the PFF’s decision, but Roxas said this became the Sparks’ extra motivation to win the match.
The PFF Disciplinary Committee chaired by Gregorio Larrazabal said in a letter earlier this month that it had decided “to affirm the decision of the Disciplinary Committee in imposing a ban on Mr. Hartmann in joining the national team; and to modify the decision of the Disciplinary Committee in its decision imposing an indefinite ban on any football club or organization from fielding him in any PFF sanctioned tournaments, and limits the ban to one year, to be reckoned from the date of the Decision of the Disciplinary Committee.”
Roxas said that if the PFF wanted to stop Hartmann from playing for the Sparks, the federation should have extended the suspension to tournaments sanctioned by the Asian Football Confederation and the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA).
Loyola will appeal Hartmann’s case before the PFF, as the Sparks are set to play in the RHB Cup quarterfinals in July.
News5 has sought PFF president Mariano Araneta’s comment on the matter, but he could not be reached.
What a bullshit.....correct me if I am wrong but the UFL isn't a part of PFF, right? And even they banned M. Hartman from PFF (in case UFL co-operates with PFF) sanctioned tournaments I think the Singapore cup is an invitation tournament and has nothing to do with PFF....again an official things he is important and nobody can do without him.
ReplyDeleteApart from that: has the PFF done anything for the UFL? For sure not that much....
As a perquisite for participation in any international football event all participating teams/clubs must first seek clearance and sanction/consent from their respective national association to qualify their participation in international events. This is the universal law of football set by the world governing body FIFA. This rule ensures that no player or team currently serving suspensions are allowed to participate and that all participants are recognized members of their association and in good standing.
ReplyDeleteFIFA states “A sanction imposed by an association or confederation has the same effect in each member association of FIFA as if the sanction had been imposed by any one of them.” FIFA DC Article 140
Although the Singapore Cup is not a sanctioned event by the PFF, Loyola FC had to apply for sanction to be eligible to participate in the Singapore Cup in compliance with FIFA & AFC rules. Sanction was obviously granted to Loyola FC by the PFF on the condition that Hartmann cannot be included in the line-up because he is currently under suspension.
There are several cases similar to Hartmann’s suspension on record and the rule applied to Hartmann is no different from the past cases.
The issue emanates from lack of knowledge and poor understanding of the general governing rules of football. It would be advisable that all managers of clubs particularly the semi-pro clubs review and familiarize themselves with the rules to avoid any misunderstanding.This is one of their most impt responsibilities.
To support my statement I am quoting statements from FAS (Football Association of Singapore) which can be found in this address: http://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Showbiz/Story/A1Story20110302-266175.html
"FAS would only extend an invitation to foreign teams to participate in any of our competitions, if these said teams are affiliated to the member associations of the country the foreign team is based in compliance with FIFA Regulations," an FAS official told Reuters on Wednesday.
"All such invitations to foreign teams are channeled through the member associations as these associations would have to give their official consent to the participation of their affiliates in overseas competitions or matches."
Walang problema na di kaya lutasin sa maayos na pag-uusap. Kailangan lang ay may magpakumbaba. Sa kaso na ito ay dapat si Matt Hartman ang may ginawang mali kaya dapat ay linisin niya ang pangalan niya at humingi niya nang paumanhin at apology kung siya ay nagkamali. Kung hindi siya makapalalaro ay wala siyang sweldo na makukuha, paano na ang umaasa sa kanya kung may asawa at anak siya. Kung may mabigat na rason ang PFF ay dapat lang na bigyan siya nang kaukulang parusa. Palagay ko naman ang PFF ay hindi bato para patawarin si Matt Hartman, Pinoy din naman yan at tao din na nagkakamali. Sana mag-usap sina Matt Hartman, Loyola management at PFF, maayos din yan. God bless.
ReplyDelete