2 Azkals cleared by PFF

THE PHILIPPINE Football Federation yesterday cleared two members of the men’s national team from sexual harassment charges filed by Asian Football Confederation (AFC) match commissioner Cristy Ramos six months ago.

The decision penned by PFF Disciplinary Committee head Enrico Ingles said Ramos’ complaint against national players Lexton Moy and Angel Guirado did not have any grounds under Republic Act 7877.

“We do not find any grounds upon which to favor her claims as the elements under RA 7877 are absent,” the decision said.

The committee noted that Ramos herself was the party with authority over Moy and Guirado when the incident happened.

During the pre-match inspection in the international friendly between the Azkals and Malaysia at the Rizal Memorial Stadium last Feb. 29, Ramos felt alluded to by a comment made by Moy, whom he overheard talking about the size of a brassiere.

Ramos also alleged that Guirado was wearing only his underwear during the inspection.

“We do not see any grounds upon which to favor her claims as the elements under RA 7877 are absent,” the decision added.

But the committee noted the “breakdown in discipline” inside the locker room during the time of the incident and meted one-game suspensions on Moy and Guirado for their actions.

Although they were not included in the Ramos’ complaint, Azkals manager Dan Palami, coach Michael Weiss, assistant coach Edzel Bracamonte and team captain James Younghusband were also sanctioned for “failure of leadership.” Azkals striker Denis Wolf was also reprimanded for his action during the incident.

Palami and Weiss, who were inspecting the field when the incident happened, were handed two-game suspensions, while Bracamonte and Younghusband were given one-game bans.