Guam High - DODEA Pacific Protecting Their Own, Retaliates Against Local Decision Exonerating Referee.

A Guam High wrestler, Ronicko Cabe  is reported to have hit the chin of an officiating referee, Joey Lopez Jr., during a wrestling match with his head. That would make that strike a head butt.  News reports state the wrestler didn't like the calls that were being made by Referee Lopez.  

Here is the first report:     

Wrestler Penalized For Assault On Ref

Here is the second report:  Guam High-DODEA Pacific's Response.

Lopez Not Permitted To Participate In DoDEA Events

Guam PDN reports that Cabe was disqualified for Unsportsmanlike Conduct. 

It seems Guam High School - DODEA Pacific is retaliating against the suspension placed on their wrestler by banning the referee from officiating at their events.  

That's their call.  It might work for their home games.  But, what happens when the team has to go to another school for a match with Referee Lopez officiating.  It looks like they'll have to forfeit those matches.  

All this because one student/wrestler was way out-of-bounds and head butted an officiating referee.  It would seem that Guam High Officials would rather see their student/wrestler continue his assault and didn't want Lopez to defend himself.  

I've always thought Guam High had higher standards.  It does appear to be those standards have been tainted.  There are no reports that the student/wrestler was suspended from school for his actions.  Guam High sends a wrong message to it's students and wrestlers.  It is not okay to hit an officiating referee for any reason, especially if you don't like the call.  By banning Lopez from their events, it sends a loud message to their students that it is okay to strike an official.  And if you do strike an official, we will ban them from our games.  We will protect you.  That is not what sports is all about.  

Players have to understand that refereeing, although there are trainings involved, it is still the interpretation of the rules by that officiating referee.  I know...I used to referee Volleyball in Germany for DODEA and other sports associations.  As a player, you cannot see what the referee is looking at.  It's all perception.  You think you do, but you don't.  Your job as a player is to play the game the best you can by following the rules and the techniques taught to you by your coach.  

Referee Lopez has been exonerated by the MSOA.  Banning him from their events is wrong, even if he acted in self-defense.  

By banning Lopez, Guam High - DODEA Pacific took this issue from the sports arena and made this a military versus locals issue.  It's them against us all over again.  

Then they wonder why us locals don't want the military buildup.  

ESTA