I was quite shocked when Cuban Olympian Angel Matos gave a boot to the head of Chakir Chelbat, the Swedish referee who disqualified Matos for a blatant rule violation during an taekwondo match in Beijing this week.
Even more shocked am I to learn that Cuban dictator, and enforcer of strict adherence to rule Fidel Castro voiced his support for Matos’ flagrant offense. Apparently Castro expressed ‘total solidarity’ for Matos and his coach, both of whom are up for permanent not-invited status to any and all taekwondo events henceforth.
Now, I appreciate that Castro wants everything his way. Who doesn’t? But isn’t it just a bit hypocritical to force your country to obey every rule to the point of fault, and then publicly support an athlete for not only breaking the rules, but lashing out in anger when the hammer falls? Ridiculous. I think he may be an Arrogant Jerk. Either one, really; you choose.
Matos should be removed from the sport immediately. There is absolutely no room in sport for this kind of behavior and I think everyone understands the reasons. It’s not rocket science, and only requires the slightest of basic understanding to comprehend. Athletic sport literally goes out the window as soon as you are allowed to break the rules, or physically abuse a referee. Even baseball coaches understand this.
Truly amazing to me that iron fisted Fidel would defend a guy who so clearly broke the rules and so viciously encroached the athlete/referee barrier. It’s not like there is room for discussion on the offense: Matos was injured, and took more than his allotted 60 seconds to deal with the problem. A lot more. Having gone over the limit, the referee made a standard call. Matos is claiming that the referee was in on the fix. He may have been, but that doesn’t change the fact that Matos broke the rules. On tape. In front of millions.
I am sure he was upset, but it was his own actions that put him in jeopardy. It wasn’t a crazy call from the ref, or an obvious missed call. Matos was winning, in fact. If he thought there was some hanky-panky going on, he could well have complained in any number of formal avenues. But no…
He chose to present Chelbat with an extremely well photographed roundhouse kick to the face. No getting around that one. To the sound of a million camera flashes, Matos made his decision to leave the sport. Castro should try to pick up a little dignity and shun Matos for such an obvious error in judgment.
Very uncool.
