PFF withholds sanctions on 'erring' Azkals

MANILA, Philippines - Midfielder James Younghusband, coach Michael Weiss and team manager Dan Palami may play their usual roles with the Philippine Azkals, for now.

This developed as the Philippine Football Federation’s appeals committee issued an order suspending the disciplinary sanctions imposed on the trio pending a separate hearing of their case on Sept. 14 at the PFF office.

“Because of the order of the appeals committee, they can resume their duties with the national team – James Younghusband as player, Weiss as coach, and Dan Palami as manager,” said PFF president Nonong Araneta yesterday after receiving the ruling of the appeals body chaired by former Comelec Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal.

Younghusband has been meted a one-game suspension while Weiss and Palami had been banned for two matches each in the aftermath of the PFF disciplinary committee’s probe on the “sexual harassment” complaint filed by match commissioner Cristy Ramos against Angel Guirado and Lexton Moy.

The disciplinary body had cleared Guirado and Moy of the charges but still slapped them with sanctions for “breakdown in discipline” along with Younghusband, the team captain at the time of the incident. Weiss and Palami had been penalized for “failure in leadership.”

Younghusband, Weiss and Palami had appealed their sanctions, claiming they did not get due process, having been slapped suspensions without being respondents to Ramos’ complaint. Guirado and Moy, according to Araneta, would serve out their ban.

“We are happy that somehow we have been given a reprieve and we appreciate the decision of the appeals committee,” said Palami.

“All I can say is that we’ve been through more difficult challenges. We look at this as a challenge for the team to show that it can rise above issues and for each individual player to be aware of the responsibilities of being role models as part of the team,” he added.

For his part, Weiss said: “Sorry but I can’t say that I am happy because this is just only fair and looking forward to presenting my own point of view during the hearing.”

The suspension of sanctions freed the trio from the burden of sitting out the Azkals’ international friendly against Cambodia and being relegated to cheerers last night in Phnom Penh.

They can also fulfill their duties without hassle in the next stops of the tour, in Singapore against the Lions tomorrow and in Vientiane against Laos on Monday.