Azkals: STILL IN TROUBLE

I CONGRATULATE the Azkals football team for winning the bronze in the just-ended AFC Challenge Cup in Nepal and 24-year-old Phil Younghusband for clinching the much-coveted Golden Boot Award with six goals in five matches.
Ditto for team manager Dan Palami, a past Philippine Sportswriters Association awardee as executive of the year, and German coach Michael Weiss for steering the Azkals to a historic third-place place in the event.
But the task is far from over as far as the Azkals are concerned. They not only missed capturing a berth in the AFC Asian Cup—finalists North Korea, who emerged winner, and Turkmenistan did make it—but the future of football in this country remains a big question mark.
In the words of former Rep. Imee Marcos, the Azkals have still to prove their true worth by winning a major tournament and already some of them are misbehaving.
Has overnight success gone into their heads?
There is no question that the Azkals gave Philippine football respect and recognition. But it does not give them the license to abuse the rights and hospitality of their host country.
Ms Cristy Ramos, daughter of former President Fidel V. Ramos, ex-Philippine Olympic Committee head and topnotch football player during her prime, has earlier filed sexual harassment complaint with the Asian Football Federation (AFC) against players Angel Guirado and Lexton Moy.
The feisty Ramos likewise blasted team captain James Younghusband for his failure to discipline his teammates. “He didn’t do anything to discipline his teammates. I hope he teaches his players to behave well.”
Serving as match commissioner in the recent Philippine Azkals-Malaysia friendly match which ended in a 1-all draw at the Rizal Memorial Track-Football Stadium, Ms Ramos alleged (while inside the dugout before the game) that “some players ridiculed her, with one player disrespectfully asking for the size of her brassiere, which was followed by a roar of laughter.” Another player, Cristy averred, appeared before her half naked during the postgame inspection in violation of ethical norms.
The former Philippine President said he and his wife Ming Ramos agreed with the position their daughter had taken on the issue, noting that their daughter had held various positions in sports both as a player and as a sports official.
“She sure knows what she’s talking about,” stressed Mr. Ramos.
“The players should behave,” added Ming. Nakakahiya ang (It’s a shame for a) Filipino.
Sen. Pia Cayetano, chair of the Senate Committee on Youth, Women and Family Relations, said. “Sexual harassment must not be tolerated anytime, anywhere. Such acts should not go unpunished.”
Added the lady senator from Taguig City, “I call for an immediate investigation of this incident … not only because this is a serious allegation made by match commissioner Cristy Ramos, who is a sports official, but also because the Azkals are looked up to as modern-day heroes and role models.”
Fellow columnist Recah Trinidad also said, “Manager Dan Palami had apologized, but the international football body would do well to crack the whip. A suspension would be too mild a reprimand.”

courtesy of: inquirer.net

Moy Lexton about the Sexual Harassment case

Lexton Moy, one of two members of the Philippine football team accused by AFC match commissioner Cristy Ramos of sexual harassment, Saturdayy broke his silence on the raging controversy, apologizing “to all those who I inadvertently hurt or insulted due to a comment directed to a teammate.”

Moy, who came in as a second-half substitute in the 0-2 loss to North Korea last Friday in the AFC Challenge Cup here, issued the statement as the Azkals prepared for their second match against India.

“This is a heartbreaking misunderstanding,” said Moy. “It deeply saddens me that such a misinterpretation can be so painstakingly blown out of proportion.”

In her complaint before the AFC Disciplinary Committee, Ramos alleged that Moy “stood by my right side and said in a loud voice ‘Must be a B Cup’ to which the players laughed loudly” during the pre-match inspection for the Philippines-Malaysia friendly last Feb. 29.

Ramos also alleged that another player, Angel Guirado, was wearing only his underwear during the inspection—a claim disputed by the player himself, who said he was wearing shorts during the time of the inspection.

Moy vowed to “fully cooperate” with the investigation.

“Although I want the truth to be revealed as soon as possible, I will patiently handle this situation properly, appropriately, and, most of all, professionally,” he said.

“Sexual harassment accusations are very serious claims. These wrongful allegation have taken its toll on myself, my friends, and family, and the Philippine National team in the midst of a historical milestone for football in the Philippines.

Azkals manager Dan Palami said that the incident was a “major misunderstanding” as the players, including Moy, were apparently engaged in a conversation when Ramos arrived for the inspection. Based on his own probe, Palami said the player’s comment was not directed at Ramos.

But while the Philippine Football Federation disciplinary committee has already began its investigation on the incident, Palami, in a separate interview, vowed steps will be taken to prevent a similar incident from happening inside the dugout.

Palami, who was present when the AFC match commissioner conducted the check inside the Azkals dugout before the game against North Korea Friday, said he has reminded players to be more mindful about jokes in the locker room.

Palami also said that he is planning to hold a gender sensitivity seminar for the team.

“We’re making sure that no one walks in and misinterprets anything they say and make sure that no one walks in until everyone is dressed,” said Palami.

Palami again apologized to Ramos for the distress the incident has caused the former Philippine Olympic Committee president and former First Daughter.

“This issue has taught players how even a small thing can lead to a huge and painful misunderstanding, and they now want to take extra measures to avoid a similar future occurrence and see what we can do to help champion gender rights,” said Palami.

Courtesy of: inquirer.net

Cristy Ramos: Files Sexual Harassment Case Against 2 Azkals

Angel Guirado (Jersey No. 12)

  Cristy Ramos, the daughter of ex-president Fidel V. Ramos, has filed a sexual harassment against our national football players, Angel Guirado and Lexton Moy.
  Cristy Ramos served as the Match Commissioner for the Azkals' game against Malaysia last Wednesday. Her job was to check the identification cards of the players and to make sure that their kits are in order. When Cristy entered the players' changing room she introduces herself and tells them how the checking would be done, but it seems that the players weren't listening to what she was saying. She described them as "rowdy and noisy," and "not taking the team check seriously and almost ignoring my presence,".
  Once she called the players individually for the team check, Lexton Moy stood at "her right side" and he said in a loud voice "Must be a B cup", commenting on Ms. Ramos' bra size. This made the other players in the room laugh. 
  When Cristy Ramos checked Angel Guirado, Angel stood infront of her without any clothes on, just his briefs. Guirado made no move of putting on any shirt or covering his underwear.
  And another complaint of Ms. Ramos was that the team officials who were there when this happened, including team captain, James Younghusband, made no move to discipline the players on their rude behavior. "In fact they were also laughing and seemed to be enjoying the revelry at my expense," Cristy tells in the letter she wrote to the AFC Disciplinary Committee.

But the real question is....Is Cristy Ramos another Amanda Coling?

  We can all still remember last year's Azkals scandal with Amanda Coling. Amanda Coling filed a rape case against team players Neil Etheridge, Simon Greatwich, Jason Sabio, and Anton del Rosario. The case wasn't continued and was neither proven true or false. But still, we all knew Amanda was just searching for popularity and money. So, is Cristy Ramos another Amanda Coling? A fake? A person looking for someone to mess with? But if she is faking, why do you think she'd file a case? She came from a decent family, -NOTE: She's the daughter of FVR!- and had a good education and has a stable job. Why'd she file the case if it weren't true?


Click HERE to view Cristy Ramos' Letter of Complaint.

Click HERE to view Dan Palami's apology.

NOTE: Please know that we shall be taking off the links seen UP after the end of March.


SIGHTINGS:


  March 2, Friday: The Azkals has left for Nepal, including the accused players, Angel Guirado and Lexton Moy. Paolo Pascual seen battling it out with the Singaporeans on the same day for the Bolkien Cup happening in Brunei right now. Neil Etheridge spotted training with the Fulham team.
  March 3, Saturday: Players have arrived in Kathmandu in Nepal. Aly Borromeo seen going to Iloilo with unknown to train some children for football.
  TODAY: Azkals spotted in their first training on Nepal grounds. GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR GAME ON FRIDAY AZKALS!!!

  Stay tuned for more on the Azkals....