Springdale prepares for busy sked

CEBU, Philippines - With the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel in sight for Paref Springdale and coach Mario Ceniza, they are now looking forward to a full schedule ahead for their football team.

This as the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) bared that the three-year ban imposed on the school and the coach has been declared null and void.

The PFF, the national governing body of football, through its appeals committee decided on the reversal.

Paref-Springdale and Ceniza were meted a three-year ban by the Discipline Committee of the previous Cebu Football Association (CFA) board after pulling out of the Aboitiz Cup early this year.

The PFF appeals committee headed by lawyer Gregorio Larrazabal, former commissioner of the Comelec, declared the decision of the previous CFA Appeals Committee null and void and nullified the penalties imposed.

Part of the decision states that “the injuries inflicted on the respondents are too glaring, too numerous and too patently illegal. From the method of deprivation of due process to the respondents, and manner the decision of the Disciplinary Committee was arrived at.”

Even the composition of the Disciplinary Committee and Appeals Committee was questioned by the PFF body.

Dr. Stanley Villacin, president of the Paref-Springdale Football Club hopes that the issue will finally come to an end and their credibility as a team will finally be upheld.

The team is set to join almost all tournaments under the CFA.

Aside from CFA-sanctioned events, Paref-Springdale is also set its sight on joining the Milo Little Olympics.

On the other hand, Ceniza, although he still has to read the full context of the decision, told The FREEMAN that he feels so happy with it.

“Nalipay ko nga ing-ana na ang sitwasyon. In case naa miy concern as a coach, maka-lihok na mi. Pati akong pag coach sa UFL (United Football League) di na maapektuhan,” he said.

Ceniza now also looks forward to attending coaching courses and seminars as well as accepting whatever assignments will be given to him by the CFA and PFF.

“As long as it wouldn’t be in conflict with or overlap other functions of other coaches, I’m willing to accept any assignment now,” added coach Ceniza.  – THE FREEMAN