UFL cracks whip on erring players, team manager

MANILA, Philippines – The United Football League has hit several players and a team manager with suspensions for their involvement in separate fracas that marred the tournament in its first two months.

Phil. Army defender Rodrigo Betita, who hit assistant referee Ronaldo Yurag twice during Army’s 0-3 loss to Kaya, was hit the hardest with a six-month ban following his outburst last Tuesday.

UFL general manager Cesar de Larrazabal said in the letter addressed to the Army management that Betita’s six-month suspension was based on chapter 11, section 2, article 49, paragraph 1b of the FIFA disciplinary code or misconduct against officials.

Meanwhile, the league has also finally handed out the suspensions in the fight-marred Kaya-Green Archers match last month that led to Maor Rozen’s resignation as Kaya head coach.

Green Archer Elle Cagayanan, who threw a flying kick to Kaya defender Dario Dakic during their 1-2 defeat last Feb. 12, was dealt with a five-game suspension. Dakic alongside Green Archers team manager Monchu Garcia each received two-game suspensions in their role in the melee.

In the second division play, three players were also suspended for their involvement in the fight-marred Cimarron-Agila match last March 2.

Cimarron’s Miguel Alberto Gutierrez and Agila’s Zaldy Maranon each got a three-match suspension.  Maranon’s teammate Alejandro Veliz was slapped with a heavier five-game suspension for his role in the incident.