Martinez on the warpath

Jose Mari Martinez was virtually impeached as Philippine Football Federation (PFF) president during the National Congress at the PhilSports Audio-Visual Room in Mandaluyong last Nov. 27. PFF secretary-general Chito Manuel confirmed, in a letter to FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association), that Martinez was booted out on a vote by 26 of 33 provincial associations with two abstentions and two no-shows.

Manuel addressed the letter to FIFA secretary-general Jerome Valcke and took exception to a previous communique sent by FIFA deputy secretary-general Markus Kattner to Martinez refusing to recognize the removal on the basis of a technicality. Kattner advised the PFF to hold another Congress within 90 days from last Dec. 3, saying that “according to the information at our disposal,” the vote for Martinez’ removal was not properly endorsed in the agenda. The information was presumably provided by Martinez.

Manuel, however, called the order for another Congress an “unwarranted interference in the internal affairs of the PFF.” He said: “Mr. Martinez was removed because of financial mismanagement. Among others, in collusion with another person, he has caused the loss of PFF funds in the amount of at least P2.8 million which is roughly 20 percent of the annual budget requirement of the PFF. Despite the opportunity given him by the Board of Governors, he failed to return the funds. Worse, he lied to the Board as to the status of the missing funds. The removal of Mr. Martinez was in accordance with and sanctioned by PFF statutes.”

Until and unless FIFA withdraws its recognition of Martinez as PFF president, he remains the incumbent despite the vote in Congress and affirmation by the Philippine Olympic Committee.

By virtue of FIFA’s recognition, Martinez is in charge of negotiating for the Philippines its participation in the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup semifinals against Indonesia on Dec. 16 and 19. The semifinal series should be played on a home-and-away basis but the Philippines lost its right to host one of the matches because no venue is acceptable by FIFA and AFF standards.

Martinez was called to meet Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Richie Garcia last Friday and reiterated his position that it’s too late for the country to prepare a venue for the semifinals. But Martinez promised to do what he can in convincing the AFF officials to give the Philippines a chance to at least host the Dec. 19 match.

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Martinez expressed yesterday his outrage over his critics’ claims that he has done nothing to support the national team. In fact, he warned national team manager Dan Palami of repercussions on failing to live up to obligations to former coach Desmond Bulpin. Martinez also said he’s prepared to revamp the entire national team if necessary after the Suzuki Cup.

“I understand that Bulpin was not paid four months of his salary and that’s about $16,000,” said Martinez. “Bulpin has threatened to sue the PFF and FIFA knows about it. If this isn’t settled, FIFA might just suspend the PFF. When FIFA asked me about it, I didn’t know a thing because Palami is supposed to take care of the salary. Bulpin was hospitalized for a heart problem and it was the PFF, not Palami, that paid for his bills of about P200,000.”

Martinez said he had no hand in choosing Englishman Simon McEnemy to coach the national team.

“That guy applied to Palami and he was taken in without consulting me,” said Martinez. “He came in to take over a team that Bulpin formed. I’m now negotiating to recruit a Brazilian coach Rick Figuerido who has about 12 years of World Cup experience with Brazil, Mexico and Jamaica. I can form another national team that’s better than what we’ve got now with guys they dropped. Chad Gould and Roxy Dorlas will be on that team. But I’d rather not elaborate on all of that. Right now, I’d prefer the national team to just focus on the Suzuki Cup and let’s see how far they go.”

Martinez said it’s unfair that he was accused by the national team of not providing support.

“We have not received one centavo of support from the PFF,” said the national team in a position paper released to the media the other day. “Not to mention a call or a text during the final rounds of the Suzuki Cup in Hanoi. This year, we’ve never had any decent training grounds for us to practice on until recently when we trained at the Alabang Country Club and the International School of Manila. Now, there is the matter of the former PFF president telling AFF officials that we, the national team, cannot have our own home game, that we fought so hard for, to be played in front of our countrymen.”

McEnemy, by the way, applied to coach the national team after he learned of the vacancy from Fil-British player Chris Greatwich. He was signed to a two-month probationary contract five weeks from applying. McEnemy, 33, has since been inked to a one-year extension. He is widely known as the youngest football coach with a national team today.

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Former PFF president Johnny Romualdez said playing Indonesia will be a tough challenge for the underdog Philippines. Indonesia took second place in the Suzuki Cup, then known as the Tiger Cup, in 2000, 2002 and 2004 and captured the gold at the Southeast Asian Games in 1987 and 1991. Indonesia is led by star striker Christian Gonzalez, a 34-year-old Uruguay native who waited six years to suit up for the national team as a naturalized player.

“Indonesia is very strong,” said Romualdez. “They’ve got Gonzalez. They’ll have about 90,000 fans booing every time we take possession. They’ll boo when our national anthem is played. It will be unnerving for us. But I’ve spoken with Simon who’s very upbeat. It’s all coming together. The longer they play as a team, the better they get. We’ve got a highly motivated team. They’re out to prove their worth. I think Dan has done a good job of motivating the team. Let’s also give credit to Aris Caslib, our former national coach and now PFF technical director. It was his idea to recruit our Fil-foreigners and assemble this team. Give credit, too, to our assistant coaches Edwin Cabalida, Rolando Pinero and Edsel Bracamonte.”

Martinez said the national team has improved because of his efforts in arranging three overseas stints in Taiwan. “I don’t want to claim credit for anything but I want to set the record straight that I did my job,” he said. “The team can still get better particularly as I think we’re a little weak on the left side. On my own, I’ll try to negotiate for us to host the Dec. 19 semifinal game even if I think it’s impossible to do. I’d rather look ahead at hosting the Dec. 29 match if we make it to the finals. But I hope if I make it happen, I will get support.”

The record books show that in international matches, Indonesia has beaten the Philippines in 16 of 17 matches, scoring 78 goals while giving up only seven. The odds are stacked against the Philippines particularly as Indonesia enjoys the hometown advantage, twice over. Still, you can never underestimate the heart of a Filipino. Nobody expected the Philippines to whip defending champion Vietnam, 2-0, and barge into the Suzuki Cup semifinals.

Now, more than ever, the national team deserves everyone’s support. PFF officials – past, present and future – should forget about politics, veiled threats and grandstanding. For once, they should stand together as one, united behind the Azkals. This is the time for all self-respecting Filipinos to rise and show national pride and unity.

The heroes in our national team are Ian Araneta, Jerry Barbaso, Yanti Barsales, David Basa, Joebel Bermejo, Aly Borromeo, Chieffy Caligdong, Chris Camcam, Jason de Jong, Anton del Rosario, Neil Etheridge, Mark Ferrer, Roel Gener, Robert Gier, Chris Greatwich, Peter Jaugan, Ray Jonsson, Nestor Margarse, Reymark Palmes, Kristopher Relucio, Eduard Sacapano, James Younghusband and Philip Younghusband.