Rival camps in football brawl ventilate sentiments

Vice governor Agnes Magpale (top photo, right) talks to some of the parents of the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu football team after their closed-door meeting at the Governor’s conference room. Below, teachers, parents and relatives of the Alcoy football team talk to a staffer of the Vice Governor’s Office.

The people involved in the March 16 melee that took place during an under-18 football match in Cebu City had a closed-door meeting with Cebu Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale at the Capitol to ventilate their sentiments and concerns yesterday.

In an interview, Magpale said she just let the parties speak about the incident  and that no amicable settlement has been reached  yet.

“It was an open dialogue. I gave a chance to everybody to speak,” she said.

Magpale said there will be subsequent dialogues between the groups.

“There will be more meetings, I’m sure,” she added.

The vice governor was the only person authorized to speak to the media after the closed-door meeting.

Headlock

A series of meetings were conducted following the brawl that occurred during a game between Alcoy FC and Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC). During the incident, three players of the Alcoy FC got hurt.

Alcoy FC’s goalkeeper Rodenel Binolirao Jr. sustained a wound in the head inflicted by one of the spectators.

Two other Alcoy FC players were allegedly kicked by parents during the brawl.

Based on available photographs and accounts of those who witnessed the incident, Binolirao attacked Ateneo de Cebu’s JM Kwan from behind and when Kwan fell to the ground, Binolirao appeared to have kept him down with a headlock.

A spectator, Enrico Mongaya, entered the playing field and came to the defense of the young Ateneo player.

Mongaya hit Binolirao’s head. Alcoy Mayor Nick de los Santos was dismayed at the feedback from those who watched the game.

Derogatory

He said Alcoy players were insulted with the disdainful tag,  “poor and coming from rural areas” from SHS-AdC supporters.

Magpale said one of the parties admitted that had there been no derogatory remarks made and that if Binolirao hadn’t been hurt, there should have been no controversy to speak of.

“Among the issues raised during the meeting was about the pride of place especially with the comment “poor and coming from rural areas.” The minor also got hurt,” she added.

Despite what happened, Magpale said the province is committed to include football in its sports development program.

“Sports development should be developed in the grassroots level. Everybody has the right to play this game,” she said.

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