What should have been a celebratory moment in the end zone at an Arizona
high school football game has turned into controversy. Running back
Pedro Banda, a senior at Dysart High School in El Mirage, Ariz., said he
was ejected from the Oct. 30 game because of unsportsmanlike conduct.
Banda told ABC News Phoenix Affiliate KNXV that after scoring the
touchdown that put his team into the playoffs for the first time in more
than two decades, “I put my hand up to my face mask and I pointed to
the sky and I looked up for about four seconds." The referee threw a
flag and ejected Banda from the game. Banda is now ineligible to play in
the first playoff game this weekend.
Dysart High School Athletic Director Tyrus Timbrooks told ABC News that
Banda was ejected from the game because the motion was his second
offense that night. Timbrooks said the referee flagged Banda earlier for
an aggressive argument with a player on the opposing team.
After reviewing the tape from the game the next day, Timbrooks said it
was immediately clear that there should not have been a flag, adding
that Banda's praising God motion is something Banda typically does after
scoring a touchdown.
Timbrooks filed an appeal with the Arizona Interscholastic Association,
and plans to meet with a representative on Tuesday. He said he feels
“extremely confident they’ll have a resolution tomorrow,” and that Banda
will be able to compete in the playoffs on Saturday, Nov. 7.
In a statement provided to ABC News, the AIA said it expects committee
members to complete the appeals process by Tuesday afternoon.
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SOCCER