U.S. soccer association disavows Hawaii coach

A hearing is set for Frederick Rames who is charged with sexual assault on 2 boys

A 65-year-old Wahiawa soccer coach charged with allegedly molesting two boys has been operating his own soccer league independent of a national organization.

A reservation form remains posted on the Internet by Frederick Rames for people interested in registering their children with the 2006 SAY (Soccer Association for Youth) Summer Indoor Soccer League.

Sheila Shay, national executive director of the soccer organization based in Cincinnati, said Frederick Rames of Holua Way has not been a member since 2004. He has not registered any players or submitted any player fees in the last two years, Shay told the Star-Bulletin yesterday.

"He's basically operating an independent league. ... He's not associated or affiliated with SAY soccer," Shay said.

Rames made his initial appearance in Honolulu District Court yesterday on charges of six counts of third-degree sexual assault involving two boys, ages 7 and 12.

Police had said the 7-year-old boy, who was on a team coached by Rames, contracted a venereal disease. The 12-year-old boy is one of Rames' foster children.

Three of Rames' children were removed from his home. His foster license was also suspended, according to Derick Dahilig, Department of Human Services spokesman. A preliminary hearing for Rames is scheduled for Oct. 27 at 1:30 p.m.

On Sunday, Rames said he was involved with the Wahiawa SAY Youth League for the past 21 years. He had also said he will not be coaching while the case is pending, but will continue to oversee the league as president.

Shay said she responded to an e-mail she received Tuesday from Rames, who informed her about the allegations. She replied that he was "officially suspended from future interactions with Soccer Association for Youth USA until the current legal issues are resolved."

"Our main goal is the safety of the children," Shay said.

Strict guidelines have been implemented to ensure the safety of children since the inception of the association 40 years ago. Shay said she was shocked to learn of the allegations against Rames.

This is the first time a SAY member or former member has been accused of sexual assault, Shay said.

Attorney Bill Harrison, who is representing Rames, said detectives and prosecutors on the case are "overzealous" and lack objective factual evidence that Rames sexually assaulted the two boys.

Prosecutors failed to take the time to ensure that there is sufficient evidence to warrant charges against Rames, Harrison said, reiterating the 65-year-old man does not have a venereal disease.

"These allegations are very serious and affect people for the rest of their lives. Before they jump (to conclusions), they should have clear and real facts that something has happened," Harrison said.

"Once you're tarred with this allegation, it doesn't matter if you go to trial and prove you're innocent; you'll never be innocent in the eyes of anyone who has heard these allegations."

He said his client already has received threat calls made to his home.

Jim Fulton, spokesman for the city Prosecutor's Office, said, "He has been appropriately charged.

"We have a legal obligation not to talk about the facts and circumstances of the case," Fulton said. "We're here to seek justice for the victims, and we are of course very concerned about these victims in this case."