Questions have surged about what’s going on with the Boys Soccer Team this semester as they wait to pay off their consequences due to an altercation in the 2017 Binationals.

Many wonder about the chance of getting to play Binationals at TCS and other big tournaments, but a complete analysis of what happened is being done to determine exactly what the consequences will be given what happened during the tournament. See previously covered article in The Discover:  (https://thediscoverer.columbus.edu.co/high-school/one-minute-fight-a-year-long-consequence/)

“The truth is we didn’t get to any conclusion; the sanction is still not known but it seems to be that they will punish those involved, who are the ones that were expelled [in the game] plus those who invaded the field,” says Urbano Mesa, head coach of boys soccer.

After coming back from Barranquilla, one day earlier than scheduled, the consequences were clear: the team was going to be suspended. TCS athletic director Freddie Badillo talked to administrators and also with the boys.

“I met with the administration, Arbabi (HS Principal) and Ruth (Superintendent), to talk about the whole incident and what occurred” recalls Badillo. “We decided to meet with the boys and let them express their concerns and their point of view.”

At first the consequences were clear but as directors and Binationals coordinators have taken a good look at the game itself, it has been clear that not everybody was involved. For Badillo and administrators at TCS it was important to study the entire game.

“I got a hold of the video of the whole game so we were able to analyze it completely; anytime there was a foul by either team or any play that was in question,” explains Badillo. “We analyzed it and then we went over it with the students, not the video itself but the facts to give them a sense of what we were doing.”

This analysis will end up determining a concrete consequence which will have to be paid and also confirm the possibility to play Binationals in November. If it is confirmed it will be important for more people to come back and start training.

“There are maybe four or five students that are coming out [to train] but they need at least 14 or 15,” mentions Badillo. “First we need a team for Copa Columbus, if we don’t have one, it’s going to be really hard to have one for Binationals.”

Mesa has said that waiting for a consequence to be stated has been the hardest part. Not a lot of players seem to be motivated for other tournaments like Copa Columbus, which is coming up this April. No one knows if they are truly encouraged or if they will even come back to finish the semester.

“Logically I will be insisting because I have worked hard on sportsmanship”, says Mesa. “The school has a great record in sportsmanship and it all can’t be thrown away for one problem.”