Football row settled

All’s well that ends well.

A looming leadership dispute in the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) was averted when president-elect Mari Martinez and close rival Ed Formoso buried the hatchet in a landmark conciliatory meeting at the Amici Restaurant along Pasay Road last Saturday.

That’s the way to settle problems involving sports leaders. Instead of waging a protracted battle at the expense of the sport Martinez and Formoso share a passion for, they came to terms and shook hands. 

Unfortunately, not too many sports officials are humble enough to do that. What Martinez and Formoso did should stand as an example for others to follow. Shame on those who only think of themselves and the turfs they lord over like pompous monarchs.

Martinez edged Formoso, 15-14, in a two-way battle for the PFF presidency two Saturdays back.  Of the 32 voting football associations, representatives of 29 showed up for the elections at the Bay View Hotel. 

Formoso’s backers insisted the win should be voided and batted for another count, pointing out that under the PFF By-Laws, the president should be elected by an absolute majority of the voting population. Their interpretation was the winner had to garner at least 17 votes or half of 32 plus one. But Martinez’ supporters said the rule applied to the voters in attendance which put 15 as the magic number.

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) officials Steve Hontiveros and Mark Joseph attended the proceedings as arbiters. When the issue of interpretation was raised, they tasked outgoing president Johnny Romualdez to make the call. Romualdez then upheld the vote and declared Martinez his successor.

Formoso’s backers threatened to bring the case to court. If they made good their threat, FIFA president Joseph Blatter of Switzerland would arrive in the country this Friday not knowing whom to acknowledge as PFF head.

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Martinez didn’t wait for Formoso’s backers to go to court. He reached out to Formoso and two key supporters, Anlou Carpio of Naga and Tito Clemente of Butuan—both football association presidents. Martinez offered the olive branch. He could’ve ignored Formoso and marginalized his supporters from the football mainstream. He could’ve used the POC’s license to force Formoso and his group into accepting his election. But instead, Martinez went out of his way to unite the fractious elements in the PFF.

“I just want to move forward,” said Martinez. “There’s a lot to be done in football. And I’m not just talking about Mr. Blatter’s visit which we know is significant since he’s coming to celebrate football’s centennial anniversary in the Philippines. My mission and vision for football are clear. I intend to make football the country’s No. 2 by 2011. I guarantee a well-funded program for the PFF. If I am not able to deliver after six months, I will resign.”

At Amici Restaurant, Martinez got together with Formoso for lunch. Former football players Danny and Peter Moran, who own the restaurant, were also present. They broke bread and vowed to unite for the sake of football. Formoso said he would tell his supporters to give up the fight and rally behind Martinez.

Martinez also reached out to Negros Occidental Football Association president Charlie Cojuangco and Iloilo Football Association president Mariano (Nonong) Araneta who filed candidacies to run for president but later withdrew. 

“The PFF needs the support of Charlie, Nonong and all the football association presidents,” said Martinez. “We will get things done if we are together.”

This Friday, the PFF will hold a gala dinner celebration with Blatter as special guest at the Sofitel Hotel off Roxas Boulevard. Awards will be given to star players Paulino Alcantara (pre-war) and Eddie Pacheco (post-war), retired FIFA referee Fernando Alvarez (flying in from San Francisco), coach Sy Peng Sam, former PFF chairman Lino Castillejo Jr., former PFF presidents Rene Adad and Romualdez, ladies football pioneer Menchu Genato Henson and UST, Ateneo and San Beda College for allocating prime property to be used as football fields since their inception.