Last
Saturday (21 April 2012), a twitter post from UFL Chairman and KAYA FC owner,
Santi Araneta, caught my attention. It made a reference to an incident in the
UFL match between Kaya FC and Air Force that day. We didn’t get to see that
match because my son’s team was playing at the Fleet Marine football tournament
on that same day too.
However,
based from Mr. Araneta’s tweet he was calling attention about the failure of the
referee to punish an Air Force player with a red card for a closed fist punch
on a Kaya FC player. He was calling for action to be taken by the disciplinary
committee for this incident which was clearly seen on TV and in subsequent
replays. He also tweeted about how playing against the armed Forces is more UFC
than UFL.
Now
this got my attention because a few weeks back I wrote an article for
Pinoyfootball about the poor standards of refereeing here, particularly at UFL matches. This
incident more or less helps confirm my observations and opinion. This also
shows that I am not the only one concerned about the situation and its
implications for the game here in the Philippines. Also, you will note in that
article that I acknowledge that refereeing errors will always be part and
parcel of the game. However, I take particular issue in that article concerning
the abilities of our local referees to exert consistency and control with
regard to “violent,” undisciplined and unruly behaviour of players.
I
will acknowledge that football is a tough game that some teams will play a
physical match and resort to rough tactics and acts to intimidate opposing
players. However, I feel there is a fine line between playing a “physical” game
as opposed to being “violent” and malicious. There are hard tackles, but going
in two-footed with studs up is not acceptable. Flying elbows, stamping, knee
strikes and punches don’t belong in the game and players who indulge in these
don’t belong in the pitch either. It’s the referee’s job and responsibility to
make sure that the fine line isn’t being crossed. They need to be in control
and they need to show the players they are in control. Rules have to be
enforced, players’ safety must be assured and undesirable behaviour must be
punished.
There
are some players who play in such a manner, so-called enforcers and “hard men,”
though in my opinion these are types of players of a bygone age and should no
longer have a place in modern football. However, even “clean” players can
sometimes get provoked or get caught up in the heat of the moment. This is
where the referee plays a crucial role. They have to be able to keep “dirty”
players in line or punish them accordingly and make sure the atmosphere of the
match does not boil over where everyone feels the need to take some form of
action because the referee is not doing anything about it. A bad foul goes
un-punished, the opposing team retaliates to even the score as they feel they
get no protection from the referee against these underhanded tactics, and so on
and so forth. If the referee isn’t on top of the situation, the situation
escalates and fans and supporters of both teams get treated to some ugly
spectacle and incidents on the pitch.
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| Photo via uflphilippines.com |
I
never liked to be negative and prefer to be dwelling on positive aspects of
things, but I feel that this aspect of refereeing in the UFL needs to be
addressed. This is the UFL, not the UFC. Violent play or actions, and ill
disciplined behaviour should not be tolerated.
To
go back to last Saturday’s incident, it appears that both players were meted
out yellow cards and that it was the second yellow card for the Kaya player
hence his getting sent off. However, as far as I know, a closed-fist punch whether
it connected or not is a straight red in any league. Let’s say we give the
referee the benefit of the doubt and he didn’t see the punch, how about the
assistant referees? Now if the match officials didn’t notice or see the punch,
I agree with Mr. Araneta’s point of having a disciplinary committee review the
action, especially if television footage can help determine the fact. If I’m
not mistaken, there are precedents of post-match review of serious infractions
committed in a match, especially when it pertains to acts of violence or unruly
behaviour. Even if there are no precedents, I think it would be wise for the
UFL and football authorities in the Philippines to take effective steps to weed
out this unsavoury aspect of the game.
This
type of actions, behaviour and mentality has no place in our football
community. Let’s look long term and see if such behaviour will benefit our
teams and players. Perhaps in a local milieu these so-called “hard” and
“physical” tactics, and tough guy personas may work to some extent to rattle
opposing teams, however, I doubt if these type of behaviour or attitude will
bring any benefits when it’s brought on the international stage.
I
for one look to seeing our clubs playing in tournaments around the region
(Loyola Meralco Sparks have already been invited to a tournament in Singapore)
and having more local-based players play for the national team. Is a “physical”
approach to the game going to be helpful against teams with much bigger and
stronger players? Is a “hard man” or tough guy attitude going to help, much
less intimidate other more seasoned teams and players? It’s probably only going
to end up in our player getting a red card and leaving the team short-handed
and at a serious disadvantage to finish out the match.
No,
there is no room for these undesirable and dangerous attitudes and actions. We
don’t need these in our football. Let’s focus on developing skill and ability
in playing proper football and not in martial arts. One area where we can start
in reaching this objective is by having better referees and improving
refereeing standards. We could add to that proper supervision and oversight by
a disciplinary committee that will lay down the standards and guidelines for
everyone connected to the league – teams, coaches, players, match officials,
etc.
Before
I am misunderstood, let me be clear that I’m not saying that the unsavoury
aspects of the game will be fully weeded out. I’m realistic enough to know that
that level of perfection is unlikely considering that even top leagues in
Europe are not without its faults and shortcomings. But at least, there should
be a clear and conscious effort from authorities that shows to everyone on and
off the pitch that these sort of shenanigans are not tolerated or encouraged in
the league.
The
UFL is, and will be a key component to the growth and success of football here
in the Philippines. The success and the growth of this league will be vital to
the sport’s future in our country. The league, its clubs and players will serve
as inspiration and role models to succeeding generations of Filipino football
players. In this regard, I think it would be a good idea that there is no
confusion between the UFL and the UFC.
2012
Moira G Gallaga©
