FIFA stands by decision on Martinez's ouster

Source: ABS-CBNNEWS.COM

MANILA, Philippines -- The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (also known as the International Federation of Association Football or FIFA) has stood by its decision to recognize Mariano Araneta as the new Philippine Football Federation (PFF) president.

This stand was taken after FIFA Chairman of the Association Committee and Vice President Geoff Thompson analyzed the report submitted by FIFA and Asian Football Confederation (AFC) delegates who were sent to the Philippines to investigate the PFF leadership squabble involving its former President Jose Mari Martinez.

“After having thoroughly analysed the report of the said FIFA/AFC delegation, we kindly inform you that the Chairman of the Association Committee is still of the legal opinion that the removal of Mr. Martinez and the election of Mr. Araneta was in line with the relevant PFF statutes,” said FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke in his letter addressed to PFF General Secretary Ramon Manuel.

Martinez earlier questioned FIFA’s decision, citing that his impeachment was not included in the agenda of the PFF's 7th Ordinary Congress, which saw his ouster on Nov. 27, 2010.

However, FIFA said: “All stakeholders agreed on the same set of statutes adopted by the PFF congress in 2007 as well as on the same national laws applicable to the present case and that the video which was submitted by the PFF administration to FIFA and AFC containing the facts happened during the second part of the PFF was not contested.”

“Moreover, the Chairman of the Association Committee took into consideration that the decision taken by the PFF congress were neither challenged at the arbitration court nor the competent local court by any PFF member or by Mr. Martinez within due time,” FIFA added.

The PFF Congress voted to remove and replace Martinez for alleged “unauthorized disbursement of PFF funds, falsification of public documents, and failure to return missing funds before a set deadline.”

The resolution to have Martinez removed was voted by 26 of the 33 total PFF congress members.

The congress elected Araneta to replace Martinez.

Martinez claimed, in a statement, that most of the members who voted against him should have not been given the chance to elect a new PFF president.

"Those who voted are not members of good standing as all their documents (SEC registration) are either incomplete, non existent plus whose status are in arrears,” he said.

Martinez threatened to file a case before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to overturn FIFA's decision.

He is also seeking a temporary restraining order from a Pasig City court to prevent Araneta from taking over the PFF presidency.