American fencers call nine-month suspension of two U.S. referees 'weak and futile'

American fencers say a "cloud of suspicion" might overshadow performances at the Olympics unless USA Fencing and the International Fencing Federation enact tough sanctions against match fixing, according to a copy of a letter obtained by USA TODAY Sports.

The fencers also criticized USA Fencing for imposing "a weak and futile" nine-month suspension on two American fencing referees found to have violated of ethics and technical rules as part of an ongoing investigation by USA Fencing.

The letter will be released on behalf of more than eight members of the USA Fencing team on Tuesday through Global Athlete, an international athletes advocacy group, to avoid retribution, according to Global Athlete director general Rob Koehler.

The referees, Jacobo Morales and Brandon Romo, committed the violations in January during a bout at the North American Cup in San Jose, California, when Morales provided input to Romo and Romo asked for the input, according to USA Fencing.

“The panel did not make a finding in the matter regarding whether Morales was making the calls himself or reaffirming calls made by Romo nor did the panel determine there was any credible evidence to support collusion or other impropriety,’’ USA Fencing said in a statement released April 24.

The bout in question took place at an Olympic qualifier, and the letter from the fencers called on USA Fencing to immediately redistribute competition points "to ensure justice prevails.''

A pending second investigation involves alleged match manipulation.

With the Paris Games scheduled to begin July 26, the letter from the U.S. fencers addresses the issue of match manipulation.

“As athletes into the Paris Olympic Games, USA Fencing and the International Fencing Federation have a responsibility to clean up the sports and enact tough sanctions on match manipulation,’’ the letter read, “to not only avoid a cloud of suspicion overshadowing the performances in Paris but to ensure that all fencers in Paris have fairly earnt their position…”

The fencers said USA Fencing must impose multi-year suspensions on the two American referees if the organization is “committed to protecting the rules and integrity of the sport.’’

USA Fencing said it is collaborating with USA Fencing Referees’ Commission in the second investigation and investigators have interviewed more than 50 individuals, reviewed documents, analyzed data, watched video and received dozens of tips, according a statement USA Fencing released April 24.

“At USA Fencing, we’ll never stop working to ensure a level playing field for athletes,’’ the statement read. “Fencing bouts should be decided by fencers’ actions on the strip, and we’ll continue to hold everyone involved in our sport to the highest standard.”