MANILA, Philippines –- The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) has taken the lead in investigating the sexual harassment charge filed by match commissioner Cristy Ramos against two members of the national football team.
Ramos filed a sexual harassment charge with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Disciplinary Committee against Azkals players Lexton Moy and Angel Guirado. She alleged that the players disrespected her by making sexual innuendoes while she was conducting a pre-match check.
The incident occurred before the Azkals' friendly against the Malaysia Tigers last February 29. Ramos filed her complaint on Friday, March 2, and Araneta said they forwarded the complaint to the PFF Disciplinary Committee the following day.
"In accordance with the Disciplinary Code of the AFC, the mother association who is hosting the friendly game between two countries, the host association has the primary jurisdiction on all disciplinary matter," Araneta said.
Araneta said they have informed the AFC that they are already investigating the incident.
"It is not an AFC event. It is a PFF event. We were the ones who assigned the match officials," he added.
Araneta cited Article 71 of the AFC Disciplinary Code, which states: "Any disciplinary action to be taken at friendly matches between two representative teams from different Member Associations is the responsibility of that Member Association to which the sanctioned player belongs."
"We have to exercise our jurisdiction because it is in accordance with the AFC Disciplinary Code," Araneta explained.
More ABS CBN News
Article 71 of AFC Disciplinary Code:
ReplyDeleteLast sentenced was omitted: " However, in serious cases, the Disciplainary Committee (AFC) may intervene as ex officio."