HOUSTON, Aug 25 (Reuters) - A spokesman for World Amateur Boxing
Championships officials confirmed on Wednesday that three referees had been
suspended but said it had nothing to do with any Cuban protest alleging
``ill-intentioned'' and ``dishonest'' refereeing.
In fact, Kevin Neuendorf, Kevin Neuendorf, Media and Public Relations
Assistant for USA Boxing, said no such protest had been received by
International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) officials in Houston.
``There has not been one protest filed by the Cuban delegation in the
tournament,'' he said. ``None.''
A statement released in Havana said the Cuban delegation, in a letter of
complaint to tournament organisers, had called for an inquiry, and immediate
action against the officials it was accusing.
``The Cuban delegation presents an official protest at the ill-intentioned
actions of a group of referees who have prejudged a group of Cuban athletes
during the elimination bouts and the quarter-finals in the 10th world
championship,'' the statement said.
Cuba started the tournament with 12 boxers and and had placed five in the
finals through Wednesday's action.
Neuendorf, the tournament spokesman, said three referees were suspended from
their duties in the ring but could continue as judges of bouts. Judges help in
the scoring.
``This is something that goes on at every tournament,'' Neuendorf said.
``Officials are evaluated bout to bout, and if they are not making the grade
they are asked to sit out.''
He said he did not know the identites or nationalities of the suspended
referees.
``They were working some matches and AIBA felt things they were doing in the
ring weren't conducive to what they what wanted to see as competition
increased,'' the spokesman said.
The Cubans in Houston could not immediately be reached for comment. The
letter released in Havana was said to have been signed by Jose Barrientos
Martinez, head of the Cuban delegation in Houston, and Raul Villanueva,
president of the Cuban Boxing Federation.
The letter said Cuban boxers Manuel Mantilla, Waldemar Font, Diogenes Luna,
Alexis Rubalcaba and Mario Kindelan, had all suffered from scoring
irregularities.
``We consider that this dishonest practice by a group of referees not only
affects our result, but also compromises the purity and transparency of the
championship,'' the letter added.
``We request more energetic action against these dishonest officials, so the
semifinals and finals are not judged by these gentlemen,'' it said.
Cuba's complaint at Houston followed a series of formal protests over
alleged ``dirty tricks'' against its athletes at the recent Pan American Games
tournament in Winnipeg, Canada.
21:21 08-25-99
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