Mari Martinez officially out as PFF President

Screen shots of FIFA's letter to PFF recognizing Mariano V. Araneta as the organization's new President.
(Images courtesy of Mr. Chino Trinidad)

Days after the Philippine Azkals lost their bid at the AFF Suzuki Cup 2010 against Indonesia, The Philippine Football Federation or PFF has received word from FIFA that Mari Martinez has been relieved from his post as President of the organization. Replacing him is Mariano V. Araneta as the new head of the PFF.

Via Bleachers' Brew:

The Fédération Internationale de Football Association, in a stunning reversal of its earlier announcement that recognized Jose Mari Martinez as Philippine Football Federation president despite being removed during the organization’s 7th Ordinary Congress last November 27, 2010, finally acknowledged Mariano V. Araneta as the interim head until next year’s elections.

FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke sent via facsimile a two-page letter to his PFF opposite Ramon Manuel dated December 20, 2010, that football’s governing body upon a careful review about the procedure and enclosures that led to Martinez’ ouster was carried out within the PFF statutes and “we consider the motion to remove the PFF President Mari Martinez was accepted and that he has been replaced by Mariano V. Araneta as the new PFF president. Hence, he is to hold office as PFF President for the unexpired period of the mandate of the PFF Board of Governors until 26 November 2011, as decided by your Congress. For that same period Mr. Ismael C. Batiles Jr., is the new PFF Executive Vice President.”

Martinez was unanimously removed and replaced by a vote of 25 aye, 2 abstentions, and 2 no-votes out of the 33-member PFF at the November 27 Congress that was held at the Philsports Complex. The deposed president has been accused of falsification of public documents, the unauthorized disbursement of funds, and the failure to return the missing funds before a set deadline.

Now that the PFF has a new President, they can now focus on the task at hand and the future Football/Soccer here in the Philippines. On January 2011, the Azkals will begin training for the AFC Cup against Mongolia in Panaad, Bacolod.

After their success in the Suzuki Cup, who'da thought the Philippine Team would garner praise from the Indonesian fans:

The Philippine football team, known as the Azkals, dropped another 1-0 defeat to Indonesia Sunday evening, but as they left the Bung Karno Stadium, they were cheered on by the Indonesian fans.

Girls blew kisses while the male fans, who looked rabid and unruly before and during the game, flashed the thumbs-up sign as the bus car­rying the visitors passed them by. Some flashed the peace sign.

The Filipinos smiled back from inside the bus as it crawled its way out of the massive stadium that was packed with 85,000 fans for the close of the semifinals of the Asean Football Federation Suzuki Cup.

“They’re now smiling at us. I think we have earned their respect. This is what football is all about,” said Philippine team head coach Simon Mc­Menemy who occupied the front seat of the bus.

“Just look at them. They all love us now,” he added.

There was plenty of mutual respect in the end.

The moment the Filipino players jumped off the bus, they were mobbed by their Indonesian fans, mostly female, who had waited for their arrival at the Sultan Hotel.

Goalie Neil Etheridge was the most sought after, and girls were seen hugging the 6-foot-3 Fulham goalie as they took pictures with him. They shrieked at the sight of the player whose mother hails from Tarlac.

James Younghusband and Rob Gier were just as popular to Indonesian fans. On the hotel lobby, fans surrounded them, and it took them a while before they could get inside the elevator.

With all the good stuff happening for the Azkals, things are absolutely looking bright for Philippine Football/Soccer. The Government should start making funds for a state of the art Football stadium so that the Philippines can host tournaments like the AFF Suzuki Cup in the future.

Many thanks to Mr. Chino Trinidad for giving me permission to share screen shots of FIFA's letter to PFF on my blog.