Lawyers mull case on PFF missing funds

By Joacquin Henson

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Football Federation (PFF) president Mariano Araneta Jr. said yesterday lawyers are now studying the possibility of filing a case in court against those found to be accountable for about P2.8 million of missing funds from the organization’s coffers and a Board of Governors meeting on Jan. 29 will determine how to proceed in the collection effort.

The disappearance of the funds triggered a vote in last November’s PFF National Congress where 26 of 33 provincial associations booted out Jose Mari Martinez as PFF president and later installed Araneta as his successor to serve the unexpired term up to Nov. 26 this year.

Martinez was initially supported by Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president Mohamed Bin Hamman of Qatar but after a confirmation from FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association) president Joseph Blatter, Araneta was eventually recognized.

Araneta said the Philippines’ participation in the recent Asean Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup has brought in funds to be used in the development of the national team. For making it to the semifinals, the Azkals were given a $15,000 reward by the AFF. And for forfeiting its right to host the first of two semifinal games, the Philippines was to receive $150,000 from the Football Association of Indonesia (FAI).

Araneta said AFF championship committee chairman Ravy Khek of Cambodia had earlier said the Philippines would be given $200,000 as its share of the gate receipts for the first game that was played before 70,000 fans in Jakarta last Dec. 16. FAI president Nurdin Halil tried to bargain it down to $100,000. A compromise of $150,000 was later agreed. The amount was to be remitted to the PFF last Jan. 7.

AFF president Tengku Tan Sri Dato Seri Ahmad Rithauddeen of Malaysia had confirmed the Philippines’ share of $200,000 in a letter to the PFF. But Nurdin and tournament organizer Joko Driyono said it would be unacceptable to give the Philippines the amount since Indonesian, not Filipino, fans filled the stadium.

Araneta said once the PFF receives the share of $150,000, he will acknowledge it through a letter to Tengku Tan. He mentioned that the $15,000 bonus for reaching the semifinals was distributed by Azkals team manager Dan Palami to the players. Palami gave $1,000 to each player and added from his own pocket what was not covered by the $15,000 reward.

Araneta said he tried to convince Mongolia to play the second game of a home-and-away series on Feb. 12 in the Philippines. The first match is scheduled on Feb. 9 at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City. The second match was set for Feb. 16 in Mongolia but has been moved to March 15 in Ulan Bator. The winner of the series will advance to play in the AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers against Bangladesh, Palestine and Myanmar starting March 20.

“The Mongolian officials told me they heard so much about the Azkals and their football fans are excited to watch us play in Mongolia,” said Araneta. “I couldn’t persuade them to forfeit their right to host the second match.”

Araneta said he leaves the selection of players for the national team to Palami and newly-designated coach Hans Michael Weiss of Germany. He said Palami may bring in Fil-Danish players Jerry Lucena and Dennis Cagara and Fil-German Stephan Schrock. Araneta said others, including Fil-British Chad Gould, are welcome to join the training camp set to open this week.

Source : philstar