CFA hands out further sanctions

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Football Association (CFA) has cracked the whip on the three spectators who were involved in the fight-marred game between the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) and Alcoy FC in the under-18 division of the 16th Aboitiz Cup last March 16 at the Aboitiz Sports Field in Brgy. Subangdaku, Mandaue City.

The three spectators who were slapped by a one-year ban by the CFA are Enrico Mongaya, Paul Chris Costin and Ricardo Pepito.

Mongaya was the most publicized of the three  as he was the one seen in the picture that went viral on social media, hitting the goalie from Alcoy.

"Enrico Mongaya, Paul Chris Costin and Ricardo Pepito, are banned from entering within one hundred meters from the tournament venue of any and all CFA sanctioned tournaments for a period of one year from the receipt of this decision," the decision of CFA states.

CFA has already handed sanctions to the players involved and to the respective coaches of SHS-AdC and Alcoy FC.

Based on available photographs and witnesses' accounts, Mongaya's participation on the incident happened when Rodnel Benolirao, the goal keeper of Alcoy FC, attacked SHS-AdC’s JM Kwan who fell to the ground.

Benolirao said to have executed a headlock on Kwan that forces Mongaya to enter the playing field and eventually hit  Benolirao that resulted into a head injury.

However, even as the intention of Mongaya was to rescue Kwan from the headlock and further attack by Benolirao, the act of   Mongaya cannot be considered as a reasonable means.

For Costin and Pepito, both entered the playing field and joined the fracas which CFA's disciplinary committee said is a glaring manifestation of lack of respect towards the game of football, the referees and towards the players.

"Paul Chris Costin and Ricardo Pepito must realize that violent behaviors have no place in the beautiful game of football. Football rejects the use of violence of any game by anyone involved in the game,” added CFA officials.

In a related development, CFA have not yet received invitation from the Cebu Provincial government of Governor Hilario Davide Jr.and Vice-Governor Agnes Magpale to shed light and be part of the reconciliation talks for both parties involved.

"We havent received any invitation or communication from them (Cebu Provincial government) about this matter. We do welcome it. We want that ang tanan magkasinabot na," said CFA vice president Rico Navarro. (FREEMAN)