PFF files raps vs rowdy fans
The Philippine Football Federation has filed a racial abuse complaint before the International Football Federation (Fifa) in the aftermath of the ugly incidents that marred the friendly pitting the Philippines and Hong Kong at the Mong Kok Stadium last June 4.
PFF general-secretary Ed Gastanes told the Inquirer that they found basis to file the complaint, after receiving a detailed report on the incident from Azkals manager Dan Palami, who had served as delegation head for the trip.
The federation attached the report along with statements from several fans that were subjected to the abuse in their complaint before Fifa.
The complaint noted violations on Fifa regulations on security for international matches and discrimination of supporters.
Gastanes said Fifa had inquired about details on the incident before the Hong Kong Football Association, which has also conducted a separate investigation.
Pockets of Hong Kong supporters booed the Philippine national anthem, while several Filipino fans told the Inquirer that they were called people coming from a “slave nation.”
The ugly incidents also included Filipino players and their supporters being pelted by plastic bottles and other debris after the match won by the Azkals, 1-0.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Under-23 side begins its preparation for the Southeast Asian Games in Myanmar with a friendly match against their Singapore counterparts at the Hougang Stadium Thursday in Singapore.
Led by SEA Games veterans Mark Hartmann and Joshua Beloya, the squad will be coached by Brian Reid, the former Glasgow Rangers defender, who also mentors Global in the United Football League.
With Reid still coaching Global in a UFL match tonight, assistant coach Dan Padernal, a former national team player, will call the shots for the Under-23 Azkals.
