Puerto Rican club Atletico River Plate have protested the sanctions imposed on them by the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) following their April 18 CFU Club Championship Group D second round match against Trinidad and Tobago’s San Juan Jabloteh, which ended in an all-out brawl.
The Puerto Ricans have threatened to take the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and Jabloteh chairman Jerry Hospedales expressed shock at the CFU judgment, stating he had only read of the sanctions in the newspapers.
The ill-tempered match-played last month at Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar-ended 1-0 in favour of Jabloteh, thus eliminating the Puerto Ricans from the competition.
During the 90 minutes, two River Plate players were ejected by Jamaican referee Courtney Campbell, as well as Jabloteh striker Cyrano Glen.
However, a most disturbing incident took place afterward when a brawl erupted. Most of the River Plate footballers were captured on video attacking some of their Jabloteh opponents and even local security. Two gunshots had to be fired to quell the disturbance.
Following an investigation by their disciplinary committee, the CFU released their decision in which they fined the alleged aggressors River Plate PR US$10,000 and put the club on probation for the rest of the season.
In addition, River Plate head coach Fabian Zermatten and six other players drew suspensions as well as fines totalling US$8,500.
Jabloteh were also fined US$5,000 and their home venue put on six months’ probation. Striker Glen was fined US$500 and suspended for two matches.
’Unjust, unreasonable, unfair,’ Hospedales said in response to the fines. ’These guys immediately launched an assault on us after the match.
I don’t know if they (CFU) thought that the players’ response was such to bring the game into disrepute. I think one had the right to defend oneself. I don’t know if they wanted us to run into the stands.’
Hospedales knocked the procedure which the CFU took in making their deliberation and said that Jabloteh will later decide if they will protest.
River Plate, through their president Steven Alvarez, issued a press release protesting the CFU sanctions.
’Our club totally denies abiding by the results of this report and, also, is proceeding to appeal in escalation to the proper Court of Arbitration of Sports, as the right and lawful right to proceed,’ the River Plate statement said.
’We acknowledge receipt from Caribbean Football Union a letter sent by Mr Jason Sylvester, on behalf of Mr Neville Ferguson, acting general secretary for Caribbean Football Union concerning disciplinary committee decision of above mentioned game and incident at Larry Gomes Stadium.
Club Atletico River Plate Puerto Rico, do not accept the decision of the disciplinary committee as well as the sanctions imposed in the communication.’
’Our club on April 20, 2010 submitted an official complaint and petition to investigate the unfair arbitration from referee Courtney Campbell (Jamaica) and his ruling team.
Petition to investigate an evident unfair play that lead to violence during the game, at the same time referee decisions one sided in favour of San Juan Jabloteh team and against River Plate Puerto Rico, in conjunction to jokes in the game field by the locals overlooked by the ruling personnel lead to the violence and brawl that all of us know happened.
’CFU and CONCACAF have not complied with the due investigative process of investigation. The complaint has not been answered with the decision received today.
The complaint has been answered by again one side favoured unfair sanctions and fines. It seems that the CFU or CONCACAF disciplinary committees continue the kind of overlook and unfair ruling we saw in the field that day.’
River Plate further stated they were not invited by either CFU or CONCACAF to a hearing to express and explain their position and to express all what happened after the game.
They also accused the CFU and CONCACAF of lacking professionalism and confidentiality dealing with an investigative process.
’Our team has not had the chance as we know we are entitled to have in a disciplinary investigation process. The disciplinary committee failed in its duty in an irresponsible and not professional manner,’ River Plate said.