PFF welcomes FIFA sanctions against Hong Kong for racism toward Filipino fans

The Philippine Football Federation on Sunday welcomed the decision of world football governing body FIFA to fine the Hong Kong Football Association following incidents of racial abuse toward Filipino fans during a friendly match last year.

“The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) welcomes the FIFA decision concerning the racist behavior of and acts of violence made by Hong Kong spectators against Philippine players and fans during the 04 June 2013 friendly match between Hong Kong and the Philippines,” the PFF said in a statement sent to InterAksyon.com.

“The decision shows that FIFA vigorously implements the non-discrimination provisions of the FIFA Statutes wherever the conduct is displayed and whoever the guilty party is. It also stressed the responsibility of the host Member Association for the spectators’ conduct in any friendly match within its territory.

“Indeed, any discriminatory conduct or acts of violence during any football match cannot be condoned. Football should unite and not divide.”

The PFF last year filed a complaint to FIFA shortly after the Azkals’ 1-nil victory over Hong Kong last June 4 at the Mong Kok Stadium, where Filipino fans at the venue recounted the hostile treatment they received from local fans there, ranging from bottle-throwing to the Philippines being called a “slave nation.”

FIFA slapped a fine of 30,000 Swiss francs ($33,000) on the HKFA after its violation of Articles 58, 65 and 67 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, which lay out the responsibilities and liabilities of concerned football bodies on discrimination and proper conduct of spectators during matches.

The HKFA was also ordered to pay 3,000 Swiss francs ($3,000) to cover the cost of investigation done by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee.

FIFA made the decision after vowing last year to slap heftier sanctions over racism in football.

The HKFA expressed its disappointment on FIFA’s decision, claiming that the incidents “were very minor” and some Azkals players even made “significant provocation” to local fans during the match. The body declared that it will send an appeal on the matter.

Diplomatic ties between the Philippines and Hong Kong have turned sour since 2010 when a botched hostage-taking rescue killed eight Hong Kong tourists.

The Hong Kong government has since issued a black travel warning to the Philippines, only one of the three countries on the list aside from strife-torn Egypt and Syria.

source: interaksyon.com

Younghusband brothers ‘delighted’ to be back in Azkals lineup

Philippine football stars Phil and James Younghusbands harbor no ill will toward the management of the national team over their non-inclusion in the Azkals lineup for the recently-concluded Philippine Football Peace Cup, calling the whole matter a “miscommunication”.




In a statement released to News5′s Chiqui Roa-Puno, the brothers said they are “delighted” to be back with the Azkals.



Earlier, Azkals team manager Dan Palami announced the return of the brothers to the lineup after being left off the Peace Cup roster over what the Philippine Football Federation called “economic and non-economic demands.”

“As a team, we take this time to bridge differences as we work towards a common goal: bringing honor and pride to the country,” Azkals manager Dan Palami said in a statement last Wednesday.

The Younghusbands said they want to work with Azkals management on schedules for the national team. Apart from being football stalwarts, the brothers also run their own football school and are in-demand product endorsers.

Despite the absence of the Younghusbands, the Azkals swept all of their three matches to win the Peace Cup last September 29 behind the team’s new faces led by tournament’s Most Valuable Player Denis Wolf.

The Azkals will face Bahrain on October 12 in its capital Manama and Kuwait on October 16 at Kuwait City.

The matches are part of the their preparations for the 2012 ASEAN Football Federation Suzuki Cup this November, where they look to surpass their historic semifinal finish in the same tournament two years ago.

The full statement of the Younghusbands follows:

YH BROTHERS STATEMENT ON TRIP TO BAHRAIN

James and Phil Younghusband are delighted to be back with the Philippine Men’s Football National Team. They remain committed to the endeavors of the national team and chalk up their being dropped from the lineup for the recently concluded Peace Cup as “miscommunication”. They look forward to working this out with team management and their teammates. The focus right now is to help the Philippines advance deeper into the Suzuki Cup tournament this November and December.

As for the other engagements of the Younghusband brothers, they look forward to working with national team management on schedules and timelines.

They likewise remain fully committed to the Loyola Meralco Sparks and their own Business and Corporate endeavors.

source: interaksyon.com

Azkals kick off observance of national peace month

Members of the Philippine national men’s football team who were recently named ‘ambassadors for peace’ kicked off the observance of National Peace Consciousness Month Sunday at the PhilSports Complex.

The Azkals conducted a football clinic for over 100 children as part of the activities in the 1GoalforPeace football event.

“Football is the most popular sport in the world. It’s good to promote peace through the sport,” Azkals striker Misagh Bahadoran said.

Anto Gonzales echoed Bahadoran, saying that the Azkals, too, have their own differences which they settled once they are on the pitch.

“We’re here to inspire the kids that we ourselves have our own differences, like the regions where we live, or our beliefs,” Gonzales said. “But whenever we play, we come together as a team.”

Other Azkals members who participated in the event were Patrick Reichelt, Denis Wolf, Ref Cuaresma, Ed Sacapano and Carli de Murga. Players from the Teen Azkals, the Under-19 national team, and the Malditas, the women’s national team, also graced the event.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles said the Azkals were chosen as ambassadors because she believes that sports, especially football, could bridge differences among people.

“We think that sports is a very important element to put us together,” Deles said. “We’re very happy for the Azkals to be champions of peace.”

After the football clinic, the Azkals will also grace the launch of the “I Am for Peace” campaign on September 14 at the Malacañang Palace, where they will meet President Benigno Aquino III. The peace month’s main event, the Ka PEACEtahan, which will feature the milestones of the peace process, will happen on September 21 before the culmination of the month-long celebration through the simultaneous “I Want Peace” concerts nationwide and peace fairs on September 28.

source: interaksyon.com

Younghusbands positive about team's future; two Azkals players ready to face charges

MANILA, Philippines – Azkals players Phil and James Younghusband feel that, through sheer hard work, the country’s premiere football team faces a better future in the international sports scene.

According to Dyan Castillejo’s report on“TV Patrol,” March 21, “Pagod pero masaya ang Philippine team Azkals pagdating ng Maynila kagabi matapos ang 18 oras na biyahe mula Nepal.”

“Proud nilang ipinakita ang third place medal mula sa AFC Challenge Cup. May kaunting kainan ang team sa lounge habang hinihintay ang [mga] bagahe.”

She related that, “Masaya si Phil Younghusband sa nakuha niyang Golden Boot Award bilang player na may pinakamaraming goals sa tournament. Aminado si Phil na super inspired siya ngayon dahil sa suporta ni Angel Locsin.”

“Pumunta siya [Angel] sa first game namin laban sa North Korea. Sobrang supportive siya. ‘Good luck, galingan mo,’ things like [that, ang sabi niya],” Phil said in the interview.

“Proud si James sa kanyang kapatid. Naniniwala sila na kasabay ng patuloy na hard training, malayo pa ang mararating ng Philippine team sa football.”

“Some people say it’s a fluke, it’s a one-off set. The team’s really happy that we’ve done this and show that we can progress even more so we’re really happy,” James explained.

According to Dyan, “Dumiretso sa Europa sina Neil Etheridge, Rob Gier, Paul Mulders at Jason Dejong.”

As for the Manila-based players, they will continue their practice “sa kani-kanilang club teams sa UFL League.”

“Magsasama muli ang Azkals sa Mayo para paghandaan ang apat na friendly matches sa Hunyo at [ang] Suzuki Cup sa Nobyembre,” the report noted.

For Azkals’ Michael Weiss, the people’s view about football players has drastically changed.

“They have biggest respect for us now, and [before] that was not the case. And apart from the results, this is also something we can be proud of,” Michael shared.

Meanwhile, the two Azkals players that have been accused of sexual harassment by Match Commisioner Cristy Ramos are preparing for their testimonies.

“Ipapadala nila ito sa disciplinary committee ng Philippine Football Federation na humahawak ng reklamo,” Dyan reported.

Dan Palami, Azkals’ team manager, pled to the public not to pass judgment on the two involved players.

“Sana po huwag muna natin husgahan ‘yung mga team members po na medyo nasasangkot sa gulo,” he said.

The report said, “Ayon kay Lexton Moy, isa sa mga inireklamo, gusto niya talagang ihayag ang kanyang panig o kuwento sa kontrobersyal na pangyayari.”

“I can’t wait for the truth to come out, and when it does, I think the public will see a true, genuine side of what the team stands for,” Moy said.

source: mb.com.ph