Azkals no more? Ming Ramos wants name changeABS-CBNnews.com
Posted at 03/06/2012 2:25 PM | Updated as of 03/06/2012 4:35 PM
MANILA, Philippines - If she had her way, former First Lady Amelita "Ming" Ramos wants the Philippine Azkals to change their name after 2 of their players were accused of sexually harassing her daughter, Asian Football Confederation (AFC) match commissioner Cristy Ramos.
Ramos said she fully supports her daughter's decision to file a sexual harassment complaint against Azkals Lexton Moy and Angel Guirado. She urged her daughter to remain firm and fight for the rights of women.
The former First Lady said the behavior of the 2 national players reflects badly on the name of the team. The name Azkals is an abbreviation of "asong kalye" or stray dog.
She said the Azkals should consider changing their name to bring back their dignity as the country's official football team.
Former president Fidel Ramos, meanwhile, said his daughter has been a sports official for a long time and obviously knows what she is doing.
He said the team should learn to respect sports officials and should start winning games.
The former First Couple was interviewed by reporters at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1. The two left for Taiwan for a 5-day business trip with a 60-member delegation.
Azkals' apology
In her complaint, Cristy Ramos accused Moy and Guirado of sexually harassing her inside the team's room at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium in Manila last February 29.
"As I called the players individually so that we could check their accreditation cards and kits, Philippine player LEXTON MOY (no. 25) stood by my right side and said in a loud voice “Must be a B cup,” to which the players laughed loudly. As I was the only female in the room, he was apparently referring to my bra size,” said Ramos in the letter addressed to AFC disciplinary committee chair Lim Kia Tong.
“Additionally when I checked Philippine player ANGEL GUIRADO (no. 12) he stood in front of me purposely just wearing his briefs and made no attempts to wear shorts or cover his underwear. Again, the players loudly laughed while I was checking this player,” she added.
Ramos said team manager Dan Palami had already apologized for the 2 Azkals' behavior but said the apology did not absolve the 2 of wrongdoing.
"It was a very objective discussion. Mr. Palami apologized on behalf of the 2 players and the team. I did accept the apology, but it didn't absolve the guilty party of the wrongdoing. I said it doesn't vindicate them," she told ANC Primetime.
"Mr. Nonong Araneta also assured me that there would be an independent investigation by the PFF disciplinary committee," she added.
She said she would appreciate the 2 players involved apologizing "but it depends on the investigations if there are sanctions and punishments set to be meted out, so be it."
www.abs-cbnnews.com/sports/03/06/12/azkals-no-more-ming-ramos-wants-name-change
Why would you interfere the team? Hayz the power of a rich and prominent family
You're not in authority to name it.
By the way is the fans named the team Azkals? just curious hehe
Etheridge on harassment case: I know what it's likeBy Edward Lao, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
Posted at 03/06/2012 1:55 PM | Updated as of 03/06/2012 7:15 PM
LONDON – Philippine Azkals goalkeeper Neil Etheridge is saddened by the controversy surrounding the national team ahead of the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup.
Azkal players Lexton Moy and Angel Guirado are currently in the spotlight after Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Match Commissioner Cristy Ramos filed sexual harassment complaints following the Philippines' recent 1-1 draw with Malaysia.
“Everyone has the right to express their own opinions on the matter, but obviously the timing wasn't great. It is unfortunate that this happened so close to such a big competition,” Etheridge said.
“I think a lot of the players were unaware of what happened or maybe something was misinterpreted," added Etheridge, who was in the dressing room when Ramos carried out her inspection of the Philippine team.
The British-Pinoy was caught in a storm of his own last year. Weeks before the Philippines' World Cup qualifier against Kuwait in July, Etheridge, Simon Greatwich, Anton del Rosario and Jason Sabio were accused of raping a Filipina in the home of team manager Dan Palami.
The accusation was made by a certain Paul Weiler. The case did not materialize, but the experience still left its mark.
"It's a shame. It does affect people's mindsets. Being involved in what happened before, I know what it's like. It is upsetting and players can take it to heart, but it's one of those things that you try and deal with professionally," he said.
The Fulham FC stopper, who recently confirmed his availability for the Azkals, will be joining his teammates in Kathmandu for acclimatization training this Wednesday.
He does not know what the mood in the camp is currently like, but the 22-year-old says he will provide a lift if need be.
"Even though I'm quite a young player, I take on a responsibility, because other players look up to me, being part of an English Premier League club. When morale is down in the camp I take responsibility to pick players up individually and collectively, whether they want to speak to me on a one-to-one basis or as a group,” Etheridge said.
The Azkals will face defending champions Korea DPR in their opening fixture of the AFC Challenge Cup on March 9. That will be followed by matches against India on March 11 and Tajikistan on March 13.
Etheridge is aware the Philippines is pooled in the toughest group of the tournament. He does not want the off-field controversy surrounding Moy and Guirado to affect the team's performance on the pitch.
"I'm sure they've [the players] already realized, but if they haven't I'll make sure they realize that we've got three big games coming up and this could be another proud moment for the Philippines,” Etheridge said.
“We're not going there to lie down and let everyone walk over us,” he added.
www.abs-cbnnews.com/sports/03/06/12/etheridge-harassment-case-i-know-what-its
You're right Just thinking why do they always put the issue whenever the Azkals have a major tournament?
Why do you want to blame the whole team? The others are innocent. Kawawa naman sila idadamay mo sila