Westshore Rebels head coach Charly Cardilicchia has apologized for disparaging remarks he made on his personal Facebook page against other teams and coaches in the sa国际传媒 Football Conference.
鈥淭he BCFC has a social media policy in place for all members, and we expect it followed,鈥� said league president Tyler Mclaren.
鈥淲e will hold those who don鈥檛 follow it accountable, and we expect our head coaches to set the example.鈥�
The Rebels have been put on notice regarding the issue.
鈥淎 bond has been put in place and will cost the Rebels some money if it happens again, but we don鈥檛 think it will happen again,鈥� said Blake Roberts, BCFC vice-president of media and business development.
鈥淭his sends a message to players and coaches to not make inflammatory statements.鈥�
The remarks in question have been taken down.
鈥淔or obvious reasons, we can鈥檛 divulge the full ramifications in this particular instance,鈥� said Mclaren.
鈥淏ut we trust this is a one-off situation, and others including Charly, take notice and learn from this, and not have history repeat itself. The BCFC has expressed to the Westshore Rebels and Charly that this isn鈥檛 acceptable, and I am confident they understand the league鈥檚 position. The goal is we can all learn from this and not have it happen again from anyone in our membership.鈥�
Roberts said no further disciplinary action will be taken against Cardilicchia or the Rebels.
Cardilicchia, 2017 BCFC coach of the year, released a statement Wednesday that was posted on the league and Rebels websites.
鈥淩ecently, I made statements on my personal Facebook page and to potential recruits that were critical of other teams, coaches and players in the British Columbia Football Conference,鈥� Cardilicchia鈥檚 statement read.
鈥淢y statements were not true, inappropriate and irresponsible on my part as a leader of a team in the BCFC. I take seriously my role in the conference and regret putting the Westshore Rebels in this situation. I apologize to the V.I. Raiders, Okanagan Sun, the players and coaches I specifically mentioned, as well as the member teams in the BCFC. I also apologize to the Westshore Rebels organization, my coaches and players. As your head coach, I let you down. It won鈥檛 happen again.鈥�
Cardilicchia, who is going into his second year as head coach, could not be reached Wednesday.
鈥淲e realize the league has a policy in place and support its decision,鈥� said Rob Lervold, GM and president of the Rebels.
鈥淐harly is regretful for his comments. As head coach coach, he realizes he is the face of our organization.鈥�
The 2018 BCFC season opens for the Island clubs Aug. 5 with the Raiders in Chilliwack against the Fraser Valley Huskers and the Rebels in Langley against the Rams.
