COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The USA Fencing Board of Directors has voted to extend the suspension of referee Jacobo Morales to four years due to his actions during a bout at the January 2024 North American Cup in San Jose, Calif.
At a disciplinary hearing in April, Morales was initially handed a nine-month suspension after the panel determined he “violated Rules t.100 and t.109, as well as the FIE Ethical Code, by providing input to [referee Brandon] Romo during the Erickson/Nazlymov bout.”
Pursuant to Section 13 of USA Fencing’s Complaint and Hearing Procedures, the hearing panels’ decision was appealed to the Board of Directors for review. On Friday, the Board of Directors voted to extend that suspension to four years, meaning Morales cannot referee at USA Fencing national tournaments until after the 2028 Olympics and Paralympics in Los Angeles.
In its decision, the Board stated:
"Under the circumstances, and in light of aggravating factors not considered by the panel, the USA Fencing Board of Directors finds the nine-month suspension decreed by the panel to be substantially inadequate. That portion of the Decision regarding the sanction imposed on Morales is vacated and Morales’ cross-appeal is denied."
The Board emphasized its responsibility to protect the reputation of the organization and the integrity of the sport, stating:
"Having found the panel’s sanction to have been arbitrary and capricious and unsupported by substantial evidence when the record is considered as a whole, Colorado’s legal standard imposed for the review of decisions of administrative agencies by courts of law (as required by Section 13 of USA Fencing’s Complaint and Hearing Procedures) allows the Board as the reviewing tribunal to 'afford other relief as may be appropriate.' Colo. Rev. Stat. § 24-4-106(7)(b). In the past, severe transgressions warranting less than expulsion or suspension of membership have included restrictions on participation measured by Olympic cycles."
As a result, Morales' prohibition from participating as a referee in any USA Fencing event, which began with the issuance of the panel’s Decision, will now extend for a period of approximately four years, concluding on Sept. 4, 2028, coinciding with the scheduled close of the Paralympics that year.
USA Fencing remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of conduct and fairness within the sport, ensuring that all participants adhere to the rules and ethical guidelines that govern fencing competitions.