Minnesota Thunder Academy Hands Down Sanctions to Abboud

Inside Minnesota Soccer was informed this afternoon that the Minnesota Thunder Academy has handed down sanctions to Technical Director Mark Abboud. The Minnesota Thunder Academy Executive Board’s decision can also be found on their website.

MTA Decision

The Minnesota Thunder Academy Executive Board has met with regard to the incident that occurred during the Minnesota State Cup on May 17, 2009, where a Minnesota Thunder Academy East team voluntarily ceded a game to a Minnesota Thunder Academy Elite team.  The children on the Minnesota Thunder Academy East team acted at the request of their coach, Mark Abboud.  The actions were in violation of the Minnesota Thunder Academy Coaches Code of Conduct Articles I, II, and III and were done without consultation with the Minnesota Thunder Academy Executive Board, and without consultation with other Directors of the Minnesota Thunder Academy.  The actions are contrary to the spirit of the game and to youth sports, in general.  The actions further appear to have violated State Cup rules, which led to sanctions against both the U-13 MTA team and the U-12 MTE team, along with sanctions against both coaches.    The Minnesota Thunder Executive Board has received many letters of support on behalf of Mark Abboud and Mark indicated regret regarding his decision.  We, as a board, have also been asked to recognize that this is a “teaching moment” and to move on from the issue.  However, in teaching the children of the Minnesota Thunder Academy to grow into responsible adults, which is one of the goals for which Mark has strongly advocated, it is imperative that we recognize that an improper determination can have significant ramifications and has had significant ramification for the Minnesota Thunder Academy, especially the U-13 and U-12 players.

Therefore, in addition to the sanctions levied by USYSA State Cup, effective immediately Mark Abboud is removed from his position as Technical Director of the Minnesota Thunder Academy.  Steve Bellis is appointed as the Interim Technical Director of the Minnesota Thunder Academy.  Steve was formerly the Director for Wings SC and is the current head coach at the College of St. Catherine.

After much discussion, and due mainly to the request of the U-12 players and their families, Mark Abboud shall retain his current role as coach of the Minnesota Thunder Academy East U-12 team through the 2008-2009 season, unless a sanction by a governing body makes continuing in such a role impossible.

Mark Abboud shall make a donation in the amount of $600 (the State Cup Entrance Fee) to a charity to be determined by the players of the U-12 team.
We also examined the U-13 coach and the actions with regard to the game.  From our examination, Andy Kassa, and all of the players on the U-13 team acted appropriately and played the game as intended from the beginning of the game, through the conclusion.  While we do not believe the outcome was fair to the children on the U-13 team and to Mr. Kaasa, it is important to remember that a bad decision does have negative impact beyond oneself.

Sincerely,
Minnesota Thunder Academy Executive Board
Barry Neal, President
John Jerabek, Vice President
Kent Johnson, Treasurer
Donny Gramenz, Secretary
Dan Storlien, Member
Manny Lagos, Member

MINNESOTA THUNDER ACADEMY COACHES CODE OF CONDUCT

ARTICLE I – RESPONSIBILITIES TO MTA PLAYERS
1. Coaches shall place the safety and welfare of players above the value of winning.
2. Coaches shall instruct players to play within the Laws of the Game and within the spirit of the game at all times.
3. Coaches shall not encourage, condone, or tolerate inappropriate behavior from players in any situation.
ARTICLE II – RESPONSIBILITIES TO OPPONENTS
1. Coaches shall afford to opponents the respect expected by the Law of Game and the spirit of competition.
2. Coaches shall not encourage, condone, or permit any player to engage in conduct with the intent of causing injury to an opponent.
3. Coaches shall not engage in any physical or verbal confrontation with any opposing player, coach, or supporter.
ARTICLE III – RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE GAME
1. Coaches shall be aware of the Laws of the Game and shall adhere to the letter and spirit of the Laws of the Game.
2. Coaches shall provide instruction to players on the meaning and application of the Laws of the Game.
3. Coaches shall accept the responsibilities of team leadership and shall be accountable for the conduct of the players, team officials, and spectators affiliated with their teams.