Fair Play: The Devil's Advocate and CFA vs. CAFC
(This is my Fair Play column for Sun.Star Cebu on Feb. 6)
I GOT an interesting e-mail the other day about the consequences for teams that withdraw from PFF-organized national tournaments and its corresponding sanctions.
I guess, it’s time to play Devil’s Advocate.
For PFF-organized events, there are four types of withdrawals—after confirming participation but before grouping or scheduling takes place, after regional finals but before grouping in nationals, after the grouping in the nationals, and in the course of the national competition.
For the first type, it’s a P5,000 fine. The second type doesn’t mention a penalty, the third type earns a P10,000 fine and a suspension from THAT PARTICULAR tournament, the fourth type earns a P15,000 fine, payment for expenses incurred by the PFF and host, and a one-year suspension from THAT PARTICULAR tournament.
And the clincher? The footie fan who e-mailed me highlighted that you only refer to the PFF catalogue of punishment for violent incidents, not withdrawals. And I’m pretty sure violence against egos doesn’t count.
By the way, I’ve finally read the full texts of the exchanges between Springdale and the Cebu Football Association regarding this issue and you know what? If it wants to, Springdale can still play and coach Mario Ceniza will have a valid point if he questions the ban.
The thing is, the CFA went by the book with this—forfeit and the ban—so Springdale should be able to pore through the same book for a technicality, right?
And there are loads.
The decision penalizes Springdale Football Club, and since it’s the club--not the school and players--that was mentioned, the Springdale FC can easily dissolve itself, put up the Springdale Soccer School (Hey, triple S!) and compete in CFA events, even next week’s Thirsty Cup.
If it wants to keep using the name, Springdale FC can question why the CFA imposed a ban for all CFA activities, when in the ruling he cited, Disciplinary Committee chairman Richard Montayre, (who’s also the CFA president by the way), quoted, “...sanctions of up to three years or up to lifetime tournament ban for coaches, players.....can be imposed.”
I GOT an interesting e-mail the other day about the consequences for teams that withdraw from PFF-organized national tournaments and its corresponding sanctions.
I guess, it’s time to play Devil’s Advocate.
For PFF-organized events, there are four types of withdrawals—after confirming participation but before grouping or scheduling takes place, after regional finals but before grouping in nationals, after the grouping in the nationals, and in the course of the national competition.
For the first type, it’s a P5,000 fine. The second type doesn’t mention a penalty, the third type earns a P10,000 fine and a suspension from THAT PARTICULAR tournament, the fourth type earns a P15,000 fine, payment for expenses incurred by the PFF and host, and a one-year suspension from THAT PARTICULAR tournament.
And the clincher? The footie fan who e-mailed me highlighted that you only refer to the PFF catalogue of punishment for violent incidents, not withdrawals. And I’m pretty sure violence against egos doesn’t count.
By the way, I’ve finally read the full texts of the exchanges between Springdale and the Cebu Football Association regarding this issue and you know what? If it wants to, Springdale can still play and coach Mario Ceniza will have a valid point if he questions the ban.
The thing is, the CFA went by the book with this—forfeit and the ban—so Springdale should be able to pore through the same book for a technicality, right?
And there are loads.
The decision penalizes Springdale Football Club, and since it’s the club--not the school and players--that was mentioned, the Springdale FC can easily dissolve itself, put up the Springdale Soccer School (Hey, triple S!) and compete in CFA events, even next week’s Thirsty Cup.
If it wants to keep using the name, Springdale FC can question why the CFA imposed a ban for all CFA activities, when in the ruling he cited, Disciplinary Committee chairman Richard Montayre, (who’s also the CFA president by the way), quoted, “...sanctions of up to three years or up to lifetime tournament ban for coaches, players.....can be imposed.”
Three years to life time tournament ban, not three years to lifetime ban for all tournaments. (Smiley face here).
As for Coach Mario, he could question why he should be punished when the decision to withdraw from the tournament was not his. The letter of withdrawal was written by school director Ric R. Ampiloquio.
Yep, they could go that route.
But I’ve always hated it when sports folks get technical.
Like I said, this issue makes next month’s CFA general election—which has almost been forgotten—a very interesting exercise.
Folks have taken the elections for granted for so long that I don’t think anybody knows how many positions are available.
There are basically three “players” in the Cebu football scene, the sitting board members, the Don Bosco group and the CAFC group and for me,
I don’t want the next president to come from any of them.
I want the next president to be able to thread through the different factions without losing sight of the big picture, I want the next president to be able to bridge the new admin and the soon-to-be former admin (who has projects worthy of being continued), and I don’t want the next president to be tied down the way the sitting president has been.
He doesn’t exist? Well, we will see.
CAFC has done great things for Cebu football, and so too, has the CFA. If these two groups were not at each other’s throat, who knows? CAFC’s pet tournament—the annual interclub—could have been a lot bigger and CFA’s grassroots program in the province would have had the logistics it needed.
Can you just imagine what these two groups could have done for Cebu football if not for factionalism?
Now, tell me. Wouldn’t you want a president who can thread through the factions in Cebu football and not lose sight of the overall picture?
He doesn’t exist?
For all our sakes, I hope he does.
And I hope, he’s willing to take the job.
As for Coach Mario, he could question why he should be punished when the decision to withdraw from the tournament was not his. The letter of withdrawal was written by school director Ric R. Ampiloquio.
Yep, they could go that route.
But I’ve always hated it when sports folks get technical.
Like I said, this issue makes next month’s CFA general election—which has almost been forgotten—a very interesting exercise.
Folks have taken the elections for granted for so long that I don’t think anybody knows how many positions are available.
There are basically three “players” in the Cebu football scene, the sitting board members, the Don Bosco group and the CAFC group and for me,
I don’t want the next president to come from any of them.
I want the next president to be able to thread through the different factions without losing sight of the big picture, I want the next president to be able to bridge the new admin and the soon-to-be former admin (who has projects worthy of being continued), and I don’t want the next president to be tied down the way the sitting president has been.
He doesn’t exist? Well, we will see.
CAFC has done great things for Cebu football, and so too, has the CFA. If these two groups were not at each other’s throat, who knows? CAFC’s pet tournament—the annual interclub—could have been a lot bigger and CFA’s grassroots program in the province would have had the logistics it needed.
Can you just imagine what these two groups could have done for Cebu football if not for factionalism?
Now, tell me. Wouldn’t you want a president who can thread through the factions in Cebu football and not lose sight of the overall picture?
He doesn’t exist?
For all our sakes, I hope he does.
And I hope, he’s willing to take the job.
Comments
Whoever is responsible for having the Springdale team absent for their game should be fired. Those kids deserve better.
Eleazer Toledo's letter to Springdale warning them of the consequences of the withdrawal was written on Jan. 31.
Richard Montayre's letter to Springdale informing them of the three-year ban was written on Jan. 31
Eleazer Toledo's letter to Springdale warning them of the consequences of the withdrawal was written on Jan. 31.
Richard Montayre's letter to Springdale informing them of the three-year ban was written on Jan. 31
I agree it was a stupid decision of the people running Springdale's football program to disrespect the Aboitiz cup and then to withdraw when that had them defaulted. I would have thought those people were smarter. They're not entitled to rule exemptions. Dura lex sed lex.
Nothing significant in having the warning letter, and sanction letter written on the same day?
By the way, where was the disrespect to the Aboitiz Cup if both teams (Springdale, BHS) had no intention to forfeit their games and the organizers of the Sinulog Cup arranged their match schedules around the Aboitiz Cup schedule?
To anonymous 2: Are you talking about Eugene Ynclino? By the way, I talked to Archie, he said he had nothing to do with the game being declared forfeit as he wasn't the referee that day.
Nothing significant in having the warning letter, and sanction letter written on the same day?
By the way, where was the disrespect to the Aboitiz Cup if both teams (Springdale, BHS) had no intention to forfeit their games and the organizers of the Sinulog Cup arranged their match schedules around the Aboitiz Cup schedule?
To anonymous 2: Are you talking about Eugene Ynclino? By the way, I talked to Archie, he said he had nothing to do with the game being declared forfeit as he wasn't the referee that day.
As referees' committee chairman, I don't think Eugene was required to face the parents as the center referee has declared them default.
to Anonymous: I'm not defending Springdale, ever noticed the comments here go both ways and that I approved your comment?
But I've been in CFA tournaments (not in this term), where a default was overlooked since opposing team's player was at the gate, telling the referee, padulong na sila.
I think folks will think twice about running for CFA board, but I think (and hope) there are few brave souls out there who will.
I think teams will cry foul if the decision on forfeit is overruled, changed. But i dont think they will if decision on three-year ban is changed.
For the record, i think springdale deserves penalty for withdrawal, and for the record, too, i think three-year ban is way too much.
Point in question: Is Springdale known to be late in their games?
Another point in question: Is CFA known for implementing its rules strictly?
If Springdale boys were malling prior to the game, then that is enough reason to forfeit them even just a 5-minute late arrival... sad thing is they came from another game and tried their best to be there on time for their next game... If CFA is for the development of this sport, the more games here in Cebu the better I suppose, then they should have been considerate with the Springdale boys... worse was that they were already there in the venue...
Also the Sinulog Cup was not a CFA sanctioned tournament (did they even ask?). So why should the organizers of the Aboitiz Cup bend backwards to accommodate a team. Can you imagine a PBA team being asked to be excused for missing a game because it played in a baranggay fiesta basketball tournament? Other teams have also had games forfeited like Sacred Heart, DB, and Manfred's team (forgot the name) in other competitions. And they accepted the authority of the organizers because it was in the rules. If the CFA is getting some hate for starting to be strict I say it's about damn time.
Out of delicadeza why do Montayre, Ynclino, and Toledo coach teams? If there will be controversies involving their teams, to whom will the the accusers and accused turn to?
This is a legitimate concern. But can we really have CFA board members who have absolutely no affiliation whatsoever with any team or school? The answer is no unless that person is not involved with local football. The only to ensure that decisions are fair is vigilance on the part of the members of the CFA and transparency on all the decisions.
I'm sure the CFA board does not want the Aboitiz group embarrassed after all they have done. Can you imagine if the Aboitiz group pulls out all its support because it feels disrespected by the withdrawal of teams from a tournament with their name on it? Who else has the resources to help local football?
I'm sure the CFA board does not want the Aboitiz group embarrassed after all they have done. Can you imagine if the Aboitiz group pulls out all its support because it feels disrespected by the withdrawal of teams from a tournament with their name on it? Who else has the resources to help local football?
The Sinulog Football Cup had to be held during the Sinulog week and I know the Cebu City Sports Commission asked that the Aboitiz Games be moved (which didn't happen). They didn't get that, so the Sinulog Cup adjusted its schedule to the Aboitiz Cup.
Would one weekend have disrupted the Aboitiz Cup schedule so much? I agree, the CFA is in the right position as it is the sanctioning body, and it was within their right to refuse to budge.
But was it the right thing? I think all the Aboitiz Cup teams (except for Guiseppe (?), USPF (?) joined the Sinulog Cup, a weekend break would have been good for those teams (and not necessarily just for the CAFC).