The manager from Sancti Spíritus, Eriel Sánchez León, has announced his definitive retirement from Cuban baseball, even beyond the five-year sanction imposed by the National Baseball Commission (CNB), following a violent fight that occurred on September 27 at the José Antonio Huelga stadium in Sancti Spíritus.
The news has shaken the national sports community, especially due to the direct statement from Sánchez himself, who was leading the Gallos team in the current 64th National Series.
"I will never lead again, not even after five years", he stated in an audio broadcasted by the local media Escambray.
“I feel so sorry and embarrassed that, even if I am not sanctioned, I will not lead anymore. I am resigning, and not out of cowardice, because I am not one of those people who quit jobs and other things. However, I do resign to avoid losing a reputation that I worked very hard for,” he added.
"And I'm taking on something that doesn't concern me. I am not the person they're talking about on social media. And that's why I resign. Because the few who still have some of my reputation left, I would like them to preserve it,” he concluded.
The sanctions: five years for Eriel Sánchez and three for Miguel Rojas
The National Baseball Commission announced this Tuesday the suspension of Sánchez's competitive system for five years; and of Eusebio Miguel Rojas Rodríguez, the technical commissioner involved in the altercation, for a period of three years.
Both sanctions are based on the designation of "very serious indiscipline," as defined in Article 17, section c, of the Disciplinary Regulations of the Cuban baseball competitive system, and sanctioned in accordance with Article 20, section l of the same document.
According to the CNB, the incident began when the coaching staff of the team from Sancti Spíritus protested a controversial play during the match against Isla de la Juventud.
Although the team won the match, the complaint led to a heated argument between Eriel Sánchez and the technical commissioner, which culminated in a physical confrontation outside the field.
In its statement, the Commission categorized the incident as "a completely preventable episode, the result of the irresponsible actions of its protagonists and unrelated to the essence and values of the Cuban sports system."
Miguel Rojas: “I was the one attacked.”
For his part, Eusebio Miguel Rojas, the technical commissioner sanctioned for three years, expressed his disagreement with the decision and claimed to have been a victim of aggression.
As the regulations stipulate, both Rojas and Sánchez will exercise their right to appeal.
Eriel Sánchez's version: "I do not justify wrongdoing, but I ask that my truth be heard."
In a previous interview with Escambray, Sánchez provided his account of the events. He stated that everything originated from a controversial play in the eighth inning, when the umpire first validated a run and then changed the score.
Although the outcome favored Sancti Spíritus, the head coach decided to reprimand Rojas for what he considered a biased attitude.
The verbal exchange escalated and, according to Sánchez's account, it was the commissioner who challenged him to fight.
“About 30 minutes later, Rojas stormed into my office, hit me, and I reacted. There was a scuffle, and he hit himself against a table. I used a stick to defend myself, but it wasn't a bat, as they say on social media,” he stated.
Although he acknowledges his responsibility, he denies having attempted to deliberately harm Rojas.
“I have never in my life been capable of trying to harm someone's health,” he emphasized, while requesting that the facts be assessed objectively rather than as a public reprimand.
Uncertainty in the direction of the Gallos
With Eriel Sánchez's final departure, the big question is who will take over the leadership of the Spirituano team for the remainder of the season.
The provincial sports director, Laidalí Santana, explained that no decision has been made yet, as "due to the nature of the incident and its impact, an evaluative process will be required that will take a few days."
What is definitely ruled out is that veteran Frederich Cepeda Cruz will take the helm of the team.
"I don't like directing, and I'm not going to do it," he stated, reaffirming what he has said on multiple occasions.
A permanent departure Beyond the sanction, the most striking development has been Eriel Sánchez's personal decision to permanently step down from his position in baseball.
Frequently asked questions about the suspension of Eriel Sánchez from Cuban baseball
Why was Eriel Sánchez sanctioned by the National Baseball Commission?
Eriel Sánchez has been suspended for five years due to a violent altercation with technical commissioner Eusebio Miguel Rojas Rodríguez, which was deemed a "very serious indiscipline" by the National Baseball Commission. The incident occurred following a controversial play during a game, leading to a physical confrontation outside the field.
What consequences does Eriel Sánchez face after his retirement from Cuban baseball?
Eriel Sánchez has decided to permanently retire from Cuban baseball, stating that he will no longer manage, even after serving the five-year suspension. His retirement signifies the loss of an experienced leader in the Sancti Spíritus team, raising uncertainty about who will take his place as the team's manager.
What is Eriel Sánchez's version of the incident with Miguel Rojas?
Eriel Sánchez claims that the incident originated from a controversial play that sparked a verbal exchange with Rojas. According to Sánchez, Rojas challenged him to a fight and then confronted him in his office, where the physical altercation occurred. Sánchez maintains that he acted in self-defense and denies having used a bat to attack Rojas, in addition to expressing his regret over the incident.
What measures will the National Baseball Commission take following the incident?
The National Baseball Commission has suspended Eriel Sánchez for five years and Miguel Rojas for three years from the competitive baseball system in Cuba. These sanctions aim to set a precedent to prevent future severe misconduct in the sport. The Commission has emphasized that the incident was avoidable and contrary to the values of the Cuban sports system.
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