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.”
 
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.

Comments

Anonymous said…
I think it would help if the Springdale group showed a little humility since this started by them not following the rules, maybe they can get the ban reduced. It's sad that kids have to suffer but the blame falls on the people running their sports program. Montayre is also a Springdale parent so it's unfair to accuse him of being against the school. But the CFA should apply these same rules with the same severity to all in the future. I would rather the CFA start being strict now than be as inconsistent as it allegedly was before.
Cebu Football said…
Who started this is a pretty touchy subject but I agree, Springdale, and the CFA too, needs to reach out with each other (and they're doing that).
Anonymous said…
This is not the first time Montayre betrayed Springale. He accused one of the boys playing two teams in the same bracket in a Thirsty Cup. He was the coach of Guiseppe on that same tournament. It was very traumatic and embarrassing for the boy being accused of cheating. And what is so sad is that his son is the boy's classmate.
Anonymous said…
If Montayre was the coach of Giuseppe at that tournament then he was obligated to make that complaint if he felt he had cause. He shouldn't just shut up because his son studies at Springdale
Anonymous said…
A coach's loyalty is to his team. Basic mana bai. Not really an issue. Dunno ngano embarrassing na.Example kung CIS team plays against San Roque, obligado so Elying Toledo to defend his CIS players bisan puro silingan niya and sa San Roque. If he sees something wrong he should complain. If he doesn't he should be fired. Professionalism na.
Anonymous said…
What do you mean by" Springdale should show humility". For the information of everybody Springdale is the one inflicted with injustice here. For those who don't know the real story please keep your comments to yourselves.
Anonymous said…
Injustice? The other teams followed the rules. Why should Springdale get an exemption from the CFA? Manfred's team also get defaulted last year I think. No team should be above the rules. And nobody has a monopoly on the real story but what I'm going by are the rules of the Aboitiz Cup tournament.

Whoever is responsible for having the Springdale team absent for their game should be fired. Those kids deserve better.
Cebu Football said…
Here's a curious point.

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
Cebu Football said…
Here's a curious point.

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
Anonymous said…
I know that Springdale were verbally warned that they would be considered in default if they did not arrive on time. I think Springdale should have accepted the default and moved on. It's just one game. And other teams have defaulted due to scheduling conflicts. No biggie. Withdrawing all it's teams was an act of stupidity on the coach's part. If that was Ceniza's decision then he should pay the price. The parents should ask him to resign.
Anonymous said…
If the CFA did this in accordance with the Tournament Rules on the Default and on the ban for the withdrawal then this is fairplay. The kids are suffering because of the actions of their coaches and coaching staff. What they got was a result of their actions. It is not good to blame the CFA for their default and for the "Harsh" 3 year ban.
Anonymous said…
What a funny observation Mike. Now you can see how stupid these people are and what can you get stupid decisions. lol
Anonymous said…
Trivia: Who is this BOD-coach who has no balls to face the parents from Springdale in that incident and instead sent his referee Archie, who has nothing to do with the game whatsoever. The same BOD-coach who is in-charge of the referees but does not what a technical area is. lol
Anonymous said…
I don't see what's significantly wrong with the dates of the letters. Elying's letter could have been a day or a week before Montayre's. It doesn't invalidate their decision.

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.
Cebu Football said…
Who are the members of the disciplinary committee?

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.
Cebu Football said…
Who are the members of the disciplinary committee?

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.
Anonymous said…
Then why is Archie talking to the parents about the forfeiture? Is he now the barker of the CFA? According to our source this Eugene Ynclino, who heads the referee's committee was in the vicinity, to be exact sitting on his car and he should be the right person to talk to the parents but as we all know he has no balls.
Anonymous said…
I feel sorry for the board members of the CFA. They're getting a beating for applying the rules. And they don't seem to have friends with blogs to defend them.
Cebu Football said…
Archie was probably just talking, but not as a representative of the CFA. I know he has some friends(acquaintances) who are Springdale parents.

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?
Anonymous said…
Yep you allow the comments. Comments are not a blog.
Anonymous said…
Mike, do you think the CFA did it's job by defaulting Springdale when it didn't arrive on time? Or should they have let it slide?
Cebu Football said…
I thought I was pretty much even-handed in the treatment of this issue in the post. But if you think otherwise, that's your opinion.
Anonymous said…
I don't think anyone will want to be a board member of the CFA after this incident.
Cebu Football said…
Based on the rules, default was valid.

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.
Anonymous said…
Anons, unfair kaayo sa other teams nga nag default kung ibawi and decision sa cfa. Wala silly umoy kung palutson nila ang Springdale.
Anonymous said…
Those teams at the gate should also have been defaulted. The previous inconsistency of the officials is partly to blame for this. They should be stricter with no exceptions from now on.
Anonymous said…
People who have integrity, people who are not vindictive and people who wants to serve and not to be served. These are the qualities that candidates should have for the CFA posts.
Cebu Football said…
By getting this strict, cfa has no recourse but to be consistent. That will be their best move. All teams, too, should realize that cfa will do that.

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.
Cebu Football said…
Anonymous re qualities of cfa board member. Im trying to convince one to run, and i hope he gets to sit in the board.
Anonymous said…
I think the present board are doing a decent job. Not perfect, but decent. It must have been difficult to decide to ban Springdale given their clout. I think the three year ban only applies to the Aboitiz cup but I'm not aware of the specific rules. Either way Springdale have to determine who in their ranks is responsible for their default. It's not the kids fault for sure.
Anonymous said…
If the manner of forfeiting Springdale was done correctly, I think the forfeiture was easy to accept.
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...
Anonymous said…
They were not in the field of play at the appropriate time as stated in the rules. And they were aware of the schedule.

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.
Anonymous said…
If they were at the venue then why weren't they on the field? Was it the entire team or just some people they sent ahead? How many players were there? Was the coach there?
Anonymous said…
The question was, Is CFA consistent enough to implement their rules? Or your just doing this to get back at Springdale or CAFC? Thats the problem Springdale and CAFC have become to loud and to big for these people to handle. Trabaho lang walang personalan.
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?
Anonymous said…
"Out of delicadeza why do Montayre, Ynclino, and Toledo coach teams?"

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.
Anonymous said…
Also I believe the CFA board did not arrive at their decision just to get back at CAFC or Springdale. Rather, I think they were forced into that situation and had to act that way to defend the integrity of the Aboitiz Cup which is the most prestigious tournament around these parts.

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?
Anonymous said…
Also I believe the CFA board did not arrive at their decision just to get back at CAFC or Springdale. Rather, I think they were forced into that situation and had to act that way to defend the integrity of the Aboitiz Cup which is the most prestigious tournament around these parts.

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?
Cebu Football said…
Aside from Aboitiz, CAFC has also done (and spent) a lot for Cebu football with its annual Cebu Interclub tournament.
Anonymous said…
If CAFC wants to hold tournaments outside the aegis of the CFA then that is their right. But if there is a scheduling conflict they shouldn't expect the CFA to change the schedule of tournaments it sanctions just for them.
Cebu Football said…
Did CAFC apply for CFA sanction? I wish they had. (I remember before the CAFC interclub, the officers complained that the CFA changed its rules/fees, making the club feel that the changes were directed at them.)

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).

Popular posts from this blog

The failed U23 experiment

Mother Nature plays spoilsport

A Pinoy played for Real Madrid? (updated)