Open Letter from USPA Chairman Chuck Weaver
Re: Team withdrawal from the 2014 USPA Ylvisaker Cup final
March 4, 2014
Dear USPA Members and Clubs:
On Sunday, February 23, 2014, the International Polo Club Host Tournament Committee allowed Valiente to withdraw from the finals of the 2014 Ylvisaker Cup pursuant to USPA Tournament Conditions VI.B.1).h., entitled, “Forfeiture and Withdrawal” and VII., entitled, “Host Club Tournament Committee Responsibilities”.
Upon hearing about this, I requested USPA CEO Peter Rizzo to investigate the facts surrounding this matter with a specific directive to bring a disciplinary complaint, within the requisite 72-hour time period, against all parties that were potentially responsible for the finals to be cancelled. The parties being investigated were cooperative and admitted mistakes were made; however, Mr. Rizzo determined that no USPA Rule, Bylaw or USPA Tournament Condition had been violated. While there is more than enough frustration to go around, in the end the USPA is bound by its own rules and cannot initiate a disciplinary process when no violation of an existing rule has occurred. We will take steps so we are not in this position again.
This unfortunate matter brings home the importance of the USPA’s duty to protect the prestige of its tournaments. This duty is fundamental as the USPA increases its presence on national television. We have a greater duty to increase the awareness of our Rules as well as the professionalism across our sport. In the short term, IPC has reacted by enhancing its written expectations for the 2014 Piaget USPA Gold Cup® and Maserati U.S. Open Polo Championship®. Participants have agreed to those increased expectations.
The solution: Looking to the future, because of the importance of our tournaments, not only to our players but to our spectators, I have requested the CEO, the Chairman of our Constitution Committee and the Chairman of our Rules Committee to work with our attorney to collectively draft and recommend a set of USPA Rules, Bylaws and/or Tournament Conditions that will give the USPA added authority to sanction any player, club or team sponsor in the event a player, club or team sponsor acts in a manner which damages the heritage and importance of our tournaments, whether such action occurs on or off the field. I intend to review those recommendations at our March USPA Executive Committee meeting, and they will become effective following their review and approval by the USPA Board of Governors.
Sincerely,
Chuck Weaver
Chairman, United States Polo Association®
Reading between the lines they are blaming the polo club. Real Nice!