Football
Azkals manager Palami says Ramos sexual harassment case a ‘misunderstanding’
It was just a “misunderstanding.”
This was how Philippine national men’s football team manager Dan Palami described the incident involving former Philippine Olympic Committee president Cristy Ramos and Azkals members Lexton Moy and Angel Guirado.
Ramos filed a complaint to the Asian Football Confederation alleging that she was sexually harassed by Moy and Guirado last Wednesday, prior to the Azkals’ friendly against Malaysia, for which she served as match commissioner.
“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,” said Ramos in her letter to the AFC. “As I was the only female in the room, he was apparently referring to my bra size.”
“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.”
In an interview with News5, Palami said that team management is taking seriously Ramos’ allegations, but added that it is trying to be fair to all parties.
Palami also said that it was the first time that the Azkals were assigned a female match commissioner, and that the Azkals were not able to adjust immediately to her presence in the locker room.
But Ramos belied Palami’s assertion, saying that it was her third assignment as match commissioner for the Azkals.
Because of Ramos’ complaint, Palami had to delay his flight to Kathmandu, Nepal, where the Azkals are slated to compete in the AFC Challenge Cup. Members of the squad already left the country on Friday.
