by Ruf Serafin Rosero

UAAP Football Commissioner Rely San Agustin has confirmed the suspension of multiple referees following the controversial UE–Ateneo men’s football match last September 28, where officiating errors and an on-field altercation led to a chaotic finish and prompted both schools to appeal to the league.

The game, which ended in a 4–3 victory for the University of the East after a temporary walkout, drew widespread attention after the UAAP Disciplinary Committee handed out team sanctions—including a three-point deduction for UE and match bans on players and coaches from both sides. But even after the committee’s decision, both UE and Ateneo filed separate but similar appeals before the UAAP Commissioner’s Office, questioning how the officiating was handled in the closing minutes.

“Ateneo and UE sent out separate but similar appeals to review, but more of anong sanctions ibibigay natin sa referees because it wasn’t stated in our disciplinary committee decision,” San Agustin told Fullcourtfresh in an exclusive interview. “That’s why I convened the appeals committee to discuss naman the performance of the referees.”

After consultations with the PFF Referees Committee, San Agustin confirmed that head referee Meliton Pelayo was found to have mishandled the final minutes of the game. “The head referee who was supposed to be in control was deemed to have handled the latter part of the game unsatisfactorily,” he said. “He will not be assigned to any UAAP matches until further notice. It’s not an indefinite suspension, but he will remain unassigned for now.”

Meanwhile, the three other officials in the match—the two assistant referees and the fourth official—were issued final warnings and required to attend a refresher course on the Laws of the Game. They will also not be assigned to officiate any UE or Ateneo matches across men’s, women’s, or junior’s divisions for the rest of the season to prevent any conflict of interest.

San Agustin explained that while the UAAP may receive officiating complaints, it is the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) that holds primary authority over referee evaluations. “As the UAAP, it is not our duty to review the performance of the referees but the PFF’s,” he said. “So we have to throw it to them and let them know ito yung mga complaints. The PFF Referees chairman decided that Referee Meliton Pelayo will not be assigned for now, and the others will be given warnings and refresher training.”

Following the UE–Ateneo case, the Commissioner’s Office also dealt with another officiating complaint—this time from UST, after a disputed penalty call led to a 2-2 draw against Adamson. San Agustin confirmed that head referee Mick Jon Pineda and assistant referee Annalou Arrogante were suspended for one month and barred from officiating UST matches for the remainder of the season.

San Agustin added that the growing number of formal complaints has helped the UAAP and the PFF identify gaps in officiating quality and consistency. “I see what is happening and we really want to make sure that our officiating is improved and it is really a team effort,” he said. “We appreciate the complaints that are coming to us in the UAAP office because it gives a better perception na ah, may problema and we have to fix it. And with sharing this to the PFF, they are willing to fix the problems too.” The commissioner also shared that the President of the PFF, John Guttierez, personally sent him a message saying that he “will be hands-on in making sure that the officiating will be improved—and he guaranteed me that.”

With the first rounds of UAAP Season 88 football now in its final stages, San Agustin said the league is taking stricter steps to ensure fair play and professionalism in officiating. “We have to be strict,” he said. “The UAAP is already high-level football, similar to the PFL, so we have to make sure that our referees are competent and consistent.”

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