The Philippine Azkals are in the stream of controversy. Serious one in fact. The accusations, and subsequent filing of sexual harassment complaint by Match Commissioner Cristy Ramos against two Azkals, should not be taken lightly.
In fact, Senator Pia Cayetano has already called for a probe.
Let us revisit the facts. Cristy Ramos, daughter of former President FVR and now a licensed Match Commissioner of the Asian Football Confederation, was commissioned to be on duty for the Azkals’ Friendly against a visiting Malaysian Tigers last February 29.
During a pre-match check inside the locker room of the Azkals, Ramos said she was subjected to sexual innuendoes and named in particular Angel Guirado and Lexter Moy as the culprits. According to reports, Cristy narrated that some of the boys were in their briefs when she got in and some were kind of talking about brassier size. One of the Azkals reportedly asked her of her size.
Cristy later on admitted in a report that she was thinking of calling off the match but reconsidered citing the bigger picture—preparations and the paying football fans who came to see the Azkals and the defending AFC champion Tigers. On March 2, Cristy filed the complaint before the AFC.
The Philippine Football Federation has already called a probe. Team Manager Dan Palami has issued an apology and at the same an explanation. The two Azkals meantime have asked for apologies but they maintained innocence citing the normal pre-game atmosphere inside a locker room and the usual practice of players getting dressed before the match. They also explained that the brassier talk was the subject of their pre-game bantering even before Cristy came inside the changing room.
I took the effort of finding out what are the responsibilities of a Match Commissioner in a football match and I found this from ezinearticles.com.
A Match Commissioner has five specific roles:
Carry out joint inspection of the field of play prior to the start of a game
Ensure that there is adequate security arrangement put in place by the host team
Presides over the meeting of referees and officials of both teams prior to the start of a game
Ensure that unauthorized persons or objects do not enter the field or stadium
Submit a detailed report
The above specific roles did not state the pre-game changing room checks. However, in her complaint, Cristy cited the AFC Regulations and Official Countdown. The purpose, according to the complaint letter, is to check the player accreditation cards and kits.
To my understanding, the accreditation cards and kits are normally issued in regular tournaments like the World Cup, Challenge Cup, and other sanctioned international tournaments. I do not know if this is a strict requirement in an international friendly like the Feb. 29 match.
If there is anything more concerning than the pre-game check, there is more to worry outside than inside. I believe the Match Commissioner should have been wary that the Rizal Memorial Stadium football field was not a “friendly” pitch on that day. Field inspection is usually done in the morning before the match and that includes also the security checks (roles 1 and 2).
The Malaysians lamented the condition of the pitch after the match. If you watch the game on television, you would think that the goalmouth is a virtual mess. Brown patches dot the field. Without knowing who the Match Comm is, I was already thinking why the match was held at all given the condition of the field.
I think that more than gender sensitivity, the issue here is propriety. Somebody should have been more careful and prudent from the appointment of officials to the priorities to ensure the safety of players on the field.
I have heard and read of locker room tales of the past. Some of those are very close to this.
We are still on the level of an emerging football country in the hierarchy of the sport. The responsibilities of our football officials do not border on the football team and its performance alone, but also in ensuring that we are breeding our players well as gentlemen not beasts. On the other hand, prudence dictates that locker rooms for men are not the friendliest places for women and we must take higher standards of precaution to protect women officials from possible harassment and disrespect—whether intentional or unintentional.
Things can be avoided before they happen. We cannot also recklessly endanger ourselves in a situation we can avoid with prudence and anticipation.
