PSC ready to intervene in EJ Obiena-PATAFA row 'when it is appropriate'

PSC hopes that EJ Obiena would be able to resolve his situation with PATAFA quickly or else, they might step in. Aleksandra Szmigiel/Reuters (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--The Philippine Sports Commission could step into the liquidation problems between the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association and EJ Obiena.

But for now, according to Chairman Butch Ramirez, the PSC will let both parties resolve their row stemming from the allegations of PATAFA that Obiena has not paid his coach, Vitaly Petrov, 85,000 euros for salary among themselves.

"For now, let us allow PATAFA and EJ to sort the matter internally within their NSA, as it should be," Ramirez said in a statement on Sunday night, a couple of hours after Obiena called for a press conference denying PATAFA's allegations.

[Related Story: EJ Obiena calls PATAFA's liquidation allegations 'fraud', threatens 'immediate retirement']

However, Ramirez clarified that the PSC is ready to step in anytime if both PATAFA and Obiena struggle to finally put the issue to rest.

"The PSC will intervene when it is appropriate," Ramirez further said.

According to Obiena, he has already filed a formal complaint against PATAFA to the Philippine Olympic Committee, which is working hand-in-hand with the PSC for a long time already, the International Olympic Committee, and World Athletics.

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