I have been treated like a criminal: Fernandez

Sabi Hussain

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 18

“I am not a criminal, I have not committed a crime," says BI Fernandez, India’s foreign boxing coach. The Cuban, struggling to come to terms with the two-year ban slapped on him by the International Boxing Association (AIBA), sounds flummoxed and distraught.

The ban, effective from October 2014, will end in October 2016. The ban puts a huge question mark on his continuance as India coach for he can neither coach in international tournament, nor in national championships and national camps.

"I am not a villain, yet the whole episode has projected me like one. It seems somebody had to be punished, and I turned out to be the fall guy," Fernandez told The Tribune.

Breaking his silence after the AIBA found him guilty of “instigating and inciting” Sarita Devi and making “distasteful remarks” about the technical officials at the Asian Games, Fernandez said the decision by the world body had left him "devastated and heartbroken".

“I never expected such a harsh decision. I was punished for voicing my opinion and speaking up against the injustice done to Sarita," he said.

"I was not present at the arena when Sarita's bout took place. I watched it on TV, and when I realised the judges had made a wrong decision, I decided to raise my voice. I was not instigating Sarita or abusing the judges; I was just voicing my opinion," he said.

Although the SAI has assured the 59-year-old of extending his contract when it comes up for renewal in February, Fernandez still fears for his job. "I can't go to the international competitions, I can't attend nationals. What will I do in these two years? The SAI has decided to renew my contract, but you never know what will happen in the future; two year is a long time," he said.

Fernandez said that he would approach the government to get his suspension revoked. "I hope the Sports Ministry will support me and take up the issue with the AIBA. I urge the AIBA to take a sympathetic view of my case and revoke my suspension,” he said.