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The National Baseball Commission announced this Tuesday the temporary expulsion from the competitive system of two of its members following the violent altercation that took place on September 27 in Sancti Spíritus.
According to the official media Cubadebate, those sanctioned are Eriel Sánchez León, director of the Sancti Spíritus team, and the technical commissioner Eusebio Miguel Rojas Rodríguez, who were involved in an altercation at the conclusion of a match against Isla de la Juventud during the 64th National Series.
The Commission's report explains that everything began when the leadership of Sancti Spíritus protested a controversial play.
After the meeting, Sánchez went to the technical table in an agitated manner to confront them about the decision, which led to a exchange of insults with Rojas.
Although they were told not to approach again, the commissioner defied the order and approached Sánchez once more, which led to a physical confrontation.
During the altercation, Sánchez struck Rojas with a wooden object, causing a head injury that required medical attention.
The Commission clarified that it was not a bat, as had been asserted in some comments.
Both were sanctioned with a suspension from participating in the competitive baseball system: five years for Eriel Sánchez and three years for Eusebio Rojas, as they were deemed responsible for a very serious misconduct, classified under Article 17, clause c, of the Disciplinary Regulations of the Competitive Baseball System, and penalized in accordance with Article 20, clause l, of the same document.
The National Baseball Commission classified the incident as "a completely avoidable episode, resulting from the irresponsible actions of those involved and unrelated to the essence and values of the Cuban sports system," and stated that it will continue to apply the measures established in its regulations with rigor.
Eriel Sánchez offers his version: "I do not justify the wrongdoing, but I ask that my truth be heard."
After the news of his sanction spread across social media and the press, Eriel Sánchez decided to give his account of the events in an interview granted to the newspaper Escambray.
The director from Sancti Spíritus stated that he does not intend to justify his behavior, although he believes it is necessary for his truth to be heard.
Sánchez explained that it all started in the eighth inning of the game against Isla de la Juventud, after a controversial play in which, according to him, the umpire initially approved a run and then the score was changed.
That late decision caused discontent at the espirituano bank, and although the team ended up winning, the director decided to confront the technical commissioner Eusebio Rojas.
The manager recounted that he angrily reprimanded Rojas for his attitude, which led to a exchange of personal insults. According to his testimony, they both ended up insulting each other, and the commissioner even challenged him to a fight.
Eriel insists that the most serious incident occurred about 30 minutes after the game, when Rojas abruptly entered his office and confronted him about what happened. He claims that the commissioner slapped him, and that he responded, which caused Rojas to hit a table.
The director acknowledges that he used a stick during the struggle, but denies using a bat, as circulated on social media. He insists that he acted in self-defense and cannot confirm whether the injury suffered by Rojas was caused by that object or by the impact against the furniture.
Finally, Sánchez expressed embarrassment over the incident and lamented the damage done to his reputation.
"I have never in my life been capable of trying to harm a person's health," he asserted, while also accepting that the National Baseball Commission may sanction him, although he requested that the facts be considered without demanding his "head" as exemplary punishment.
This Monday, the National Baseball Commission (CNB) broke its silence on the violent incident that shook the José Antonio Huelga stadium in Sancti Spíritus, announcing that the director of the Gallos, Eriel Sánchez, and the technical commissioner Miguel Rojas would not be able to perform their duties in the 64th National Series until the appropriate sanctions are determined.
"The Disciplinary Commission is examining the incident involving both parties, and they will not take action in the 64 SNB until the measures to be implemented are defined," the entity specified in a statement published on its official X account.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Expulsion of Eriel Sánchez and Eusebio Rojas in Cuban Baseball
What happened in the incident between Eriel Sánchez and Eusebio Rojas?
Eriel Sánchez and Eusebio Rojas starred in a fight after a game of the National Baseball Series in Sancti Spíritus. The dispute started over a controversial play during the game, escalated to personal insults, and culminated in a physical confrontation where Sánchez struck Rojas with a wooden object.
What sanctions were imposed on Eriel Sánchez and Eusebio Rojas?
The National Baseball Commission has suspended Eriel Sánchez for five years and Eusebio Rojas for three years from the competitive baseball system in Cuba. The sanctions were based on the Disciplinary Regulations of the Competitive Baseball System, considering the incident as a very serious act of indiscipline.
What does Eriel Sánchez claim in his defense?
Eriel Sánchez, in his defense, claims that he acted in self-defense and denies the use of a bat, stating that he used a stick during the struggle. He asks for his account of the events to be heard before a final judgment is made and expresses that he never intended to harm Rojas's health.
How has this incident affected Cuban baseball?
This incident has reignited the debate over violence in Cuban baseball, highlighting the need for exemplary sanctions and a review of the discipline conditions within the sport. The aggression has been widely criticized on social media and in the media, with calls for a permanent expulsion from Cuban baseball for those who participated in the altercation.
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