Current:Home > StocksAmerican fencers call nine-month suspension of two U.S. referees 'weak and futile' -GrowthProspect
American fencers call nine-month suspension of two U.S. referees 'weak and futile'
View
Date:2025-04-17 23:53:19
American fencers say a "cloud of suspicion" might overshadow performances at the Olympics unless USA Fencing and the International Fencing Federation enact tough sanctions against match fixing, according to a copy of a letter obtained by USA TODAY Sports.
The fencers also criticized USA Fencing for imposing "a weak and futile" nine-month suspension on two American fencing referees found to have violated of ethics and technical rules as part of an ongoing investigation by USA Fencing.
The letter will be released on behalf of more than eight members of the USA Fencing team on Tuesday through Global Athlete, an international athletes advocacy group, to avoid retribution, according to Global Athlete director general Rob Koehler.
The referees, Jacobo Morales and Brandon Romo, committed the violations in January during a bout at the North American Cup in San Jose, California, when Morales provided input to Romo and Romo asked for the input, according to USA Fencing.
“The panel did not make a finding in the matter regarding whether Morales was making the calls himself or reaffirming calls made by Romo nor did the panel determine there was any credible evidence to support collusion or other impropriety,’’ USA Fencing said in a statement released April 24.
The bout in question took place at an Olympic qualifier, and the letter from the fencers called on USA Fencing to immediately redistribute competition points "to ensure justice prevails.''
A pending second investigation involves alleged match manipulation.
With the Paris Games scheduled to begin July 26, the letter from the U.S. fencers addresses the issue of match manipulation.
“As athletes into the Paris Olympic Games, USA Fencing and the International Fencing Federation have a responsibility to clean up the sports and enact tough sanctions on match manipulation,’’ the letter read, “to not only avoid a cloud of suspicion overshadowing the performances in Paris but to ensure that all fencers in Paris have fairly earnt their position…”
The fencers said USA Fencing must impose multi-year suspensions on the two American referees if the organization is “committed to protecting the rules and integrity of the sport.’’
USA Fencing said it is collaborating with USA Fencing Referees’ Commission in the second investigation and investigators have interviewed more than 50 individuals, reviewed documents, analyzed data, watched video and received dozens of tips, according a statement USA Fencing released April 24.
“At USA Fencing, we’ll never stop working to ensure a level playing field for athletes,’’ the statement read. “Fencing bouts should be decided by fencers’ actions on the strip, and we’ll continue to hold everyone involved in our sport to the highest standard.”
veryGood! (9)
Related
- Angelina Jolie nearly fainted making Maria Callas movie: 'My body wasn’t strong enough'
- Suspect arrested in triple-homicide of victims found after apartment fire in suburban Phoenix
- Xander the Great! Schauffele wins the British Open for his 2nd major this year
- Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich sentenced by Russian court to 16 years in prison
- A White House order claims to end 'censorship.' What does that mean?
- Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich sentenced by Russian court to 16 years in prison
- What are your favorite athletes listening to? Team USA shares their favorite tunes
- Plane crash near Ohio airport kills 3; federal authorities investigating
- Average rate on 30
- The Barely Recognizable J.D. Vance as Trump’s Vice Presidential Running Mate
Ranking
- Rams vs. 49ers highlights: LA wins rainy defensive struggle in key divisional game
- Day of chaos: How CrowdStrike outage disrupted 911 dispatches, hospitals, flights
- Seven Spokane police officers, police dog hurt in high-speed crash with suspects' car
- Xander the Great! Schauffele wins the British Open for his 2nd major this year
- Dick Vitale announces he is cancer free: 'Santa Claus came early'
- Biden campaign won't sugarcoat state of 2024 race but denies Biden plans exit
- Will Kim Cattrall Return to And Just Like That? She Says…
- Christina Hall Enjoys Girls' Night out Amid Josh Hall Divorce
Recommendation
'Malcolm in the Middle’ to return with new episodes featuring Frankie Muniz
As a scholar, he’s charted the decline in religion. Now the church he pastors is closing its doors
New Hampshire Gov. Sununu signs bill banning transgender girls from girls’ sports
Man fatally shot in apparent road-rage incident in Indianapolis; police investigating
DoorDash steps up driver ID checks after traffic safety complaints
Scout Bassett doesn't make Paralympic team for Paris. In life, she's already won.
Behind Biden’s asylum halt: Migrants must say if they fear deportation, not wait to be asked
In Idaho, Water Shortages Pit Farmers Against One Another