UFL turns down QCU complaint

Cancelled game against Pachanga FC might be played in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - The United Football League (UFL) has dismissed the complaint filed by Cebu’s Queen City United Football Club (QCUFC) asking that its scheduled opponent last Sunday be declared in default.

In its reply dated October 12, the UFL said that the letter of QCUFC cannot be considered as a protest as there was no game played and was thus treated as a complaint.

The letter was signed by Cyril Dofitas, tournament manager, and was addressed to Engr. Pericles ‘Ricky’ Dakay, team manager of QCUFC.

Dofitas said that the UFL was informed by officials of the University of Makati (UMAK) of the condition of the field forcing them to cancel the games scheduled there last Sunday. Thus, Ritchie Gannaban, assistant technical director was told to inform all teams involved via short message service (SMS) about the postponement.

He also clarified that it was understood that by announcing the postponement, it meant that the games were cancelled.

QCUFC was scheduled to face Pachanga FC of Bacolod City at UMAK at 1 p.m. Since the field was unplayable, the Cebuanos asked the league to find another venue for their game considering that the team had spent money to bring the whole team to Manila for the weekend.

The game was moved to the Alabang Country Club, but Pachanga FC, which was informed about the change, refused to play as its players were not anymore available.

In his letter, Dofitas said that due to several factors coming into play, the UFL was forced to cancel the game.

As a consideration, the UFL said that it will try to make arrangements that the cancelled match be played in Cebu so that QCUFC need not spend for travel to Manila.

Another suggestion of Dofitas is that the match still be played in Manila but the team expenses will be shouldered by the league, said Raffy Musni, the team representative of QCUFC in a talk with The FREEMAN.

Musni, however, said that they are still waiting for word from Dakay, who was not yet available for comment as of presstime.

If the game would be played in Cebu, this will also give the Cebu fans a chance to watch our team live, Musni said.

QCUFC is playing under group C along with Pachanga FC and Manila-based Global FC and Stallions FC.

This Sunday, the Cebuanos are scheduled to face Global, which lost its opening match to Stallions FC last Saturday.

The UFL is the premiere interclub football tournament of the country with members of the national team seeing action in various teams.

This is also seen as an opportunity for the players to take part in a semi-pro league in our country. (FREEMAN)