Incident could cost Bulldogs league tie

Jeff Tully

Perhaps its best Foothill League performance of the season Friday

by the Burbank High boys’ soccer team will likely be overshadowed by

an unfortunate incident.

In the match, the host Bulldogs played well and gave second-place

Burroughs all it could handle, as the teams finished in a 1-1 tie.

However, the tie will probably have to be forfeited by Burbank

after a CIF Southern Section rule violation appears to have been

committed.

The Bulldogs’ best player -- Jeff Ruiz, wearing his blue jersey

with his No. 7 clearly visible -- spent most of the second half

standing 20 yards from the team’s bench. Ruiz even ventured onto the

field of play at the conclusion of the match to shake hands with the

Indian players.

Ruiz’s attendance at the match could spell trouble for Burbank.

Ruiz received a red card Tuesday in a Foothill League contest against

visiting Valencia, prompting an ejection.

Under Southern Section rules, a player who receives a red card is

suspended from taking part in the following match.

The CIF Southern Section Blue Book Constitution and Bylaws,

Article 24, Section 2418, under Player Conduct reads: “A player who

is ejected from the previous contest who, knowingly or unknowingly,

participates in, or is in attendance, at the next contest will result

in the forfeiture of that contest.”

Apparently, Ruiz was at the field prior to the match and was

pointed out. He was asked to leave the field by an official, which he

did. However, some time later, he returned to the Burbank sideline.

Following the match, first-year Bulldog Coach Michael Bailie was

asked about the situation by a Burroughs administrator.

Bailie said he was aware that Ruiz was not supposed to be at the

contest, and reiterated the fact that an official had asked the

player to leave the vicinity.

But as far as dealing with Ruiz’s return, Bailie said he was

occupied with other things.

“[Ruiz] was told by the ref to leave, and he did,” Bailie said. “I

was too busy dealing with the game and my players to do anything

about him being here.”

A forfeit win would benefit Burroughs (11-7-3, 4-2-2 in league),

which is battling for a league championship.

With two matches remaining, a win against Burbank -- coupled with

road victories against Valencia on Tuesday and first-place Canyon on

Thursday -- would give the Indians their first title since 1997.

In Friday’s match, Burbank (7-10-5, 0-6-2) received a goal in the

42nd minute by Martin Armas. Burroughs tied the score in the 48th

minute on a goal from Michael Barbic.

“It is a Burroughs-Burbank game and any time you have the teams

playing you know it’s going to be a dogfight,” Burroughs Coach Mike

Kodama said. “That’s what happens in a rivalry like this.”