CONTROVERSIAL Puerto Rican player Ismael Romero Fernandez risks getting slapped with a suspension or a revocation of his license if the Meralco Bolts insist on naming him as import for the coming PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup.
Games and Amusement Board (GAB) chairman Atty. Francisco Rivera revealed that the agency’s professional sports division is now conducting an investigation into Romero's attack on Nick Demusis of the Zamboanga Valientes while playing for Al Ahli Tripoli-Libya at the Dubai Invitational.
READ Guiao still seething over Romero attack on his former player Demusis
Rivera said the government agency won't hesitate to act based on its findings.
“All our professional athletes are bound by the code of ethics, one of the provisions of which is for them to respect their fellow players. And respect could mean not to inflict physical injuries on your fellow player,” said the soft-spoken GAB chief.
“If this is proven that there is an infraction, then we can discipline the players and disciplining the players could mean suspension or if the offense is grave enough - revocation of license,” he added.
Rivera bared that as soon as he heard about the incident two weeks ago, he already ordered his professional sports division to look into the matter.
Rivera stressed that even if the controversial incident occurred in Dubai or in any other foreign country for that matter, the GAB will have a jurisdiction on erring players once they apply for a pro license to play for a Philippine team.
“The principle of territoriality will not apply here because, the person is under our jurisdiction, so they have a license with us. So, regardless of the place of the commission of the offense, we have a say on that - of course, that’s subject to us knowing the facts,” he said.
PBA coaches Yeng Guiao, Demusis' former coach at Rain or Shine, and Tim Cone of Barangay Ginebra have both made their feelings known that Romero should face some consequences for his attack on the Fil-Am player in Dubai.
Rivera, however, pointed out that since the GAB is a regulatory body, the government agency, will still wait for the PBA’s recommendation and evaluation of the case.
“If this is already brought to their attention, then the expectation is that they will impose disciplinary sanction on players. They’ve done that in the past, they suspend players, they ban players. They should have the first crack,” said Rivera.
Asked why GAB can’t immediately impose sanctions on Romero if any, the amiable regulatory chief has a quick reply.
“League pa rin dapat ang unang mag-decide. Number one, that player has a contract with the team, and the team has a contract with the league and it has provisions regarding the discipline of the players,” he said.
“But of course, it will not prevent us from looking into the case. At present, we are not informed of the facts. Para kasi kaming appellate court, mauuna muna yung trial court for the trial court to gather all the facts para pagdating sa amin, kumpleto. Right now, we’re doing our own diligence and investigation,” he said.
Rivera said he is also waiting for the official complaint from the Valientes management, which according to reports is now preparing a case against Fernandez, in support of Demusis.
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