PFF to tackle appeal of Springdale next week

Philippine Football Federation (PFF) president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta said the earliest he would be able to look into Springdale Football Club’s appeal regarding the three-year sanction it received from the Cebu Football Association (CFA) will be next week.

Araneta said he just arrived yesterday from Macau and the PFF will be having important guests for the launching of the Asian Football Development Project (AFDP) and the relaunching of the Kasibulan Football Grassroots Development Program today and tomorrow. (see separate story)

He acknowledged that the PFF received the letter, although he said he has yet to see it and therefore could not comment much about it yet.

The Springdale Football Club has decided to appeal to the PFF a three-year sanction on all its teams and its head coach Mario Ceniza, which resulted from the club’s decision to withdraw all of its teams from the ongoing 14th Aboitiz Football Cup.

Springdale’s decision steamed from an incident that happened last Jan. 7 wherein the Springdale ‘s boys 14 team was defaulted in their match against Blessed John.

“We will check if the sanction was arrived at with due process, if justice was served. We have the disciplinary and appeals committee,” Araneta said.

Meanwhile, during last Saturday’s meeting held between Springdale and the CFA, organizers of the Aboitiz Football Cup, Springdale FC treasurer Stanley Villacin said that each side has given propositions for a win-win solution.

One of the propositions was for Springdale to compete again in the Aboitiz Football Cup provided that the organizers would also allow them to play the subsequent matches that the club forfeited as a result of the sanction.

Villacin said they would not even question anymore the forfeited match that started the issue. They are willing to assist in logistical cost and in looking for a field if ever the Aboitiz Sports Field will not be available.

He added that their appeal to PFF will become moot and academic should there be an agreement reached with CFA.

CFA’s Eleazar Toledo said they would have to wait though for Springdale’s next move because the letter they received stated that the school and the club will not make any decisions yet with regards to the proposal until all stakeholders of the club will meet and come up with a decision.