Today 3 of our teams had matches in the Southeast Asian Youth Development League (SEAYD). FFs U9 team played Chelsea and won 8-5 despite some questionable referee calls and new rules that seemed to be introduced on the spot. We let it slide because they couldve just been typical referee errors that happen every now and then. The match that followed was our Everest Academy U13 vs CCT Megdalena and even more controversial calls were made from the referee which the organizers can justify by saying, well thats what the referee saw (or didnt see). BUT to miss out on the correct scoreline? The game was a draw, 4-4, yet the referee only counted 3 goals for our team. Missing out on calls are possible but not knowing how to count goals that an entire audience witnessed? There is no excuse for that. In our 3rd and final match today which was FFs U13 team, not just once but FOUR times-- the referee could not even determine whose ball it would be for a throw-in. Each time, he was looking directly where the ball was played and was at an easy distance to see everything (as you can see from anywhere standing at the turf in The Camp-Taguig), yet for some reason he could not see who really made the last touch before the ball went out. Four times? He even had the nerve to come up to our bench and threaten one of our coaches after we raised our concerns 5 minutes before the ball went back into play. In most cases you will find that our club will take the higher road, but when the interest and welfare of our players are at hand, make no mistake we will not sit down and take it quietly. Developmental league or not, it can not be an excuse for bad management or refereeing. The players and their families set aside their valuable Sundays and payed good money to participate in your league. It is your duty to make sure you are doing your job and not making excuses for the way this league has been running. Instead of condemning the reaction of coaches and parents, it might make more sense to address the root of the problems. From day one we have written letters to Seayd management regarding all previous incidents in the hopes that it will help improve the league as it moves along. Prior to today we had high hopes that things could get better. Unfortunately, after seeing how the management and referees dealt with the incidents today, we know the chances for improvement are slim. We can only hope that others who intend to put up development leagues work with the values of integrity, honesty, commitment to fair play and the standard rules of football..for the sake of the future of our young footballers!
Posted on: Sun, 27 Oct 2013 09:02:31 +0000