UE Coach Frank Muescan Breaks Silence Amid Controversial Walkout Versus Ateneo
University of the East (UE) Red Warriors football head coach Frank Muescan broke his silence following their controversial walkout during their 4-3 win against the Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament Sunday, September 28.
The UAAP Disciplinary Committee handed Muescan a one-game suspension when he led the UE players off the pitch in protest of Ateneo’s third goal. According to UE Dawn, the players and the coaching staff believed that there was an “incorrect officiating decision,” sparking tensions and bringing the match to a standstill.
“It was the last resort, a stand against what we felt were repeated injustices in the officiating. As a coach, I believe it is my duty to act when the fairness of the competition is compromised,” Muescan told the University’s official publication.
The Committee also deducted three points from the Red Warriors, while defenders Mark Maghinay and Christian Tio face multiple-game suspensions for acts of “serious violation of athlete conduct standards,” reported ABS-CBN.
The sanction was based on Article 30 of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) Disciplinary Code, which grants the Committee the authority to remove points from current or future competitions.
Ateneo head coach JP Merida was likewise penalized for verbally assaulting Commissioner Rely San Agustin during the fracas.
Muescan explained that walking out of the game “was not something taken lightly,” but as a result of his responsibility to protect his players and uphold the integrity of the sport.
“I respect the UAAP and their ruling on the matter. At the same time, I sincerely hope this incident opens the door to meaningful conversations about consistency and transparency in officiating.
“We will continue to fight with passion on the pitch, but we will never stay silent when we believe the game’s integrity is at stake,” he continued.
Despite the heavy penalties, Muescan turned the issue into an opportunity to convey a message to his players and to the next generation of football stars: that life, much like the sport, will not always be fair.
“Our response matters. Discipline, focus, and respect for the game must always remain. I want them to learn that standing for what is right is also part of sportsmanship,” he said.
Muescan, who took over UE’s head coaching duties last year, also thanked the fans for standing behind the team.
“The fans deserve honest competition, the players deserve fair judgment, and the sport itself deserves transparency.”
Prior to his move to UE, Muescan served as the head coach of the University of the Philippines men’s football team, where he led them to win three championships in his first season. He was also the head coach of the Azkals under-22 team and the former assistant coach of the Philippine National Team in the ASEAN Football Federation Mitsubishi Electric Cup in 2022.
