spot_img
27.6 C
Philippines
Friday, March 29, 2024

Patafa: Obiena coach Petrov complained of non-payment

- Advertisement -

The Philippine Sports Commission is taking a hands-off stance on the situation surrounding Tokyo Olympic veteran Ernest John Obiena after he was accused of falsifying liquidation reports and reportedly failed to turn over payment for the services rendered to him by his coach Vitaly Petrov.

It is now up to a four-man investigating panel which the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association formed last week to look into the matter and decide.

“For now, let us allow PATAFA and EJ to sort the matter internally within their NSA, as it should be. The PSC will intervene when it is appropriate,” said PSC chairman William Ramirez in a statement.

Ernest John Obiena
Caption

All funding related to Obiena’s training activities in Formia, Italy has been suspended.

The probe body of the PATAFA is headed by Felix Tiukinhoy and is seeking the full cooperation of Obiena on charges that Petrov has not received any payment from Tokyo Olympian Ernest John Obiena for his services since 2018.

- Advertisement -

The Tiukinhoy group told Obiena in an internal dispatch that they have the authority to decide on his case.

Obiena learned of the committee’s actions through a confidential memo that they sent to him recently, but which leaked to the media.

But instead of facing the committee, Obiena, with, interestingly Petrov, organized a virtual press conference to press “the full and public withdrawal of the investigation and a full public apology from the authorities involved” in the probe.

Officials disclosed that the association acted on a statement signed by Obiena’s coach, Petrov, who informed the PATAFA that he did not receive payment for his services to Obiena.

This was supported by a signed affidavit by Sergey Bubka, the former superstar pole vaulter, who is now the President of the Ukraine Olympic Committee and is also the Senior Vice President of World Athletics.

The 24-year-old Obiena admitted in a statement that the liquidation paperwork on the receipt of Petrov’s 85,000 euro funding allocation has been submitted late and he apologizes for it.

“I admit some of my liquidation paperwork was submitted late and sometimes are in a sloppy fashion. I am a pole vaulter, not an accountant. I am alone in handling all this in a foreign country,” said Obiena, adding he has requested for sports officials to pay his coaches directly.

But his requests have been refused in the past.

 “I have not handled the paperwork well and I am sorry for this,” added Obiena in his statement.

According to association records, Obiena has settled obligations with Petrov only recently this month.

These payments, late as they were as noted by the PATAFA, were made in tranches through banks based in Dubai, Germany, and Manila.

The discrepancy in Obiena’s reports, and the documents from Petrov and Bubka inquiring about the coach’s salary have prompted the PATAFA to call for a probe, which the association said it will continue.

- Advertisement -

LATEST NEWS

Popular Articles