CFA comes down hard on U-18 melee participants

CEBU CITY—The Cebu Football Association slapped unprecedented suspensions and disqualifications on both Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu and Alcoy FC teams and their officials and players for a bloody brawl during an 18-under match recently.

The two teams were disqualified from the 16th Aboitiz Cup, where they were competing when the brawl took place Sunday at Aboitiz Field here. The coaches, Ateneo de Cebu’s Hayato Ayabe and Alcoy’s Chris delos Santos, were both suspended for six months.

Five players from Alcoy and four from Ateneo de Cebu were also slapped six-month suspensions for their roles in the melee.

In Manila, the Philippine Football Federation welcomed the CFA’s crackdown on the erring individuals and teams,

The PFF, through general secretary Ed Gastanes, had urged the CFA to take immediate action on the incident.

“At least, we’re seeing that the CFA is not taking the issue for granted,” said PFF president Mariano Araneta. “Violent behavior has no place in the sport.”

CFA officials led by president Pericles Dakay, vice president Enrico Navarro and lawyer. Julius Entise, head of the incident’s investigation committee, announced the sanctions during a media briefing Wednesday.

The decision was a big blow for the Magis Eagles, who were at the top of the standings with an unbeaten 5-0 (win-loss) record in the group stage.

“Participating in the brawl and failing to exercise restraint to prevent the brawl is a deplorable behavior and a glaring manifestation of unsportsmanlike conduct,” said Entise, as he read the group’s ruling.

Araneta hopes that the sanctions will send a message to players and coaches that violent behavior will always be met by stiff sanctions.

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